Proposal for project with Henderson’s tallest building progresses to council

courtesy photo

Henderson’s Planning Commission has recommended approval of Park Heights, a mixed-use development planned for 40 acres at Interstate 215 and Stephanie Street.

By Mike Trask (contact)

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 | 2 a.m.

There’s some good news for a major development project in Henderson.

The city Planning Commission has recommended approving a 40-acre mixed-use project on the northwest corner of Stephanie Street and Wigwam Parkway.

The project, called Park Heights, would be anchored by the tallest building in the city.

Commissioners did recommend limiting the height of a proposed 330-foot-high, 1,700-unit residential tower (30 stories) to only 250 feet.

It would still claim the “tallest” title, which now goes to Sunset Station, at 230 feet.

The project is also to include a 13-story condominium tower and a 12-story hotel, and accompanying retail outlets and office space. It is being developed by Las Vegas-based GSG Development.

Henderson planners say the roads in the area will be able to handle the heavy traffic flow, which was a major concern of planning commissioners.

Park Heights, located within a redevelopment area, is alongside a planned 100-acre park surrounding a small lake.

The City Council will make the final call on Dec. 16. No city residents spoke at the most recent Planning Commission meeting.

GSG representatives have said they plan on opening the center in 2011. They have not disclosed a cost or how they are going to get the money in a tight credit market.

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At tonight’s Henderson City Council meeting, the developer of City Tower is requesting a three-year extension of time on the $90 million project.

The project, on two acres at Water Street and Lake Mead Boulevard, is part of an effort to revitalize downtown Henderson.

The City Council is expected to approve the request, which could put off the construction until 2011.

The project had been scheduled for completion next year. Little work has been done at the site, which remains surrounded by a chain-link fence.

“Due to the slumping economy City Tower has been postponed,” developer Arik Raiter wrote in city documents. “City Tower will be completed when the economy shows signs of improving.”

It was billed as including 160,000 square feet of office space, 40,000 square feet of retail space, a six-floor parking garage and 137 residential units.

Plans included a 13-story commercial tower and a 15-story residential tower.

• • •

The Henderson City Council will discuss a five-year budget balancing strategy during its meeting tonight.

Officials are expected to provide further answers to how the state’s second-largest city plans to overcome a $28 million budget shortfall.

City officials said late Monday the city was still working on a presentation that will be given by City Manager Mary Kay Peck.

Also on the agenda is an item suggesting reorganization in the Development Services Center that could lead to the reduction of 65 full-time positions.

City documents show many of those positions are vacant.

Henderson has seen a 6.6 percent decrease — about $500,000 — in consolidated tax revenue from July 2007 to July 2008.

Consolidated tax revenue, more than 90 percent of which comes from sales tax paid in the city, accounts for more than half of Henderson’s operating budget.

The city is trying to find a way to cut budgets by about 10 percent. It has began a hiring freeze that could save about $6 million.

Reassessing vehicle purchases and insurance payments is ongoing and could save roughly $3.5 million for the city with a population of more than 230,000.

Henderson has also delayed projects, including a $1.2 million police training facility and the production of a television show aimed at raising the city’s profile.