How times have changed: Now shopping center is news

By Mike Trask (contact)

Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 | 2 a.m.

The approval of a shopping center wouldn’t have been too newsworthy back in the heyday of growth in Southern Nevada when strip malls seemed to be sprouting on every thoroughfare.

But in the current economic crisis, approval by the North Las Vegas City Council of the $110 million Las Flores shopping center was big news last week. Even more impressive: the developer says he has financing in place.

The 350,000-square-foot development is part of a much-publicized plan for redevelopment in the city’s downtown.

Plans include a $156 million new City Hall along Las Vegas Boulevard North, next to the Silver Nugget. The final design for the nine-story building was also approved Wednesday.

But the shopping center is the talk of the town.

“In this economy it’s wonderful we have a redevelopment project downtown and these jobs to provide,” Councilwoman Shari Buck said.

Developers said the project will bring about 200 temporary construction jobs and 750 permanent jobs when the center opens.

Las Flores has not announced its tenants. But its developer promised not to disappoint North Las Vegas residents, who in recent years have frequently called for better shopping options.

“We’re working with chains you’re well aware of and you’ve been trying to get here for a long time,” said Jennifer Lazovich, an attorney for the developer.

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The storefront shuffle on Water Street in Henderson continues.

Cox Communications has closed its payment center on the street, shifting the operation to a new, 4,900-square-foot facility — with drive-through service — at Stephanie Street and Warm Springs Road.

At the old, 600-square-foot service center, it wasn’t uncommon to see people standing on the sidewalk, holding cable boxes and waiting for help.

“It was awful,” admitted Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs for Cox.

So what happens now to the vacant space on Water Street?

Henderson has been working hard to redevelop its downtown business district, but the economic downturn has forced the delay or cancellation of at least five major projects.

While the big projects are in limbo, a couple of new projects have begun on the street.

A new coffee shop is expected to open soon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is building a 24,000-square-foot stake center at Water Street and Ocean Avenue, replacing a building that was torn down this year.

Still going on: the city’s series of concerts at the amphitheater connected to City Hall and a weekly farmers’ market.

•••

Visitors know they’ve arrived in Las Vegas when they are greeted by slot machines at McCarran International Airport. People flying into the Reno-Tahoe International Airport also get to gamble before they pick up their luggage.

Soon travelers arriving at the small Henderson Executive Airport may also be greeted with slot machines, albeit on a much smaller scale.

The Henderson City Council will decide this month whether it will allow slot and video poker machines inside The Landings, a restaurant that leases space in the airport and does business with aviators and locals alike.

The Clark County Aviation Department runs the airport. However, Henderson makes all land use decisions related to the property.

The aviation department is asking for fewer than 15 gaming machines on behalf of the restaurant. The Henderson Planning Commission has signed off on the request.