Proposals sought for former school

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005 | 9:18 a.m.

The Las Vegas City Council unanimously agreed Wednesday to seek proposals for use of the former Fifth Street School, which could cost $9 million to renovate.

Mayor Oscar Goodman has long said he hopes the former school will become a cultural center for artists and intellectuals, and the city will request proposals from groups looking to develop such a project, or a for-profit project that could involve retail. Proposals are due by Nov. 18.

The former school building, which is across Las Vegas Boulevard South from the George Federal Building, was built in 1936. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The exterior of the former school is being kept, but the interior is being gutted to make way for new uses.

The council also voted 7-0 to spend $705,312 for the second phase of the interior demolition. The city has already spent about $600,000 on demolition.

Scott Adams, director of the Office of Business Development, said the total cost of demolition and renovation could be about $9 million.

Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian said saving the building is worth the expense because "once you lose history, it's gone."