Pit in Henderson may sprout towers

By Mike Trask (contact)

Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Over the years two plans have been floated for the vacant land on the northwest corner of Stephanie Street and Wigwam Parkway in Henderson. Now comes the largest and most stunning proposal yet.

The property sits in prime territory, on a major thoroughfare between the Galleria at Sunset and Interstate 215.

But while most of the surrounding area has been filled with office parks, strip malls and tract homes, this 40-acre former gravel pit remains undeveloped.

In 2001 the city designated it for redevelopment. In 2004 an apartment complex was approved, but it was never built. Two years ago a small mixed-use project was approved for the site. It has since been canceled.

The latest proposal blows those out of the water.

GSG Development wants to built two 30-story towers that would include 1,700 residential units and 851,000 square feet of retail, office and hotel space. The project would also feature a 13-story condominium tower, a 12-story hotel and a 13-story office building.

There would be nothing like it in Henderson.

The project was unveiled this month for the Planning Commission, which will discuss it at its Oct. 16 meeting.

The development faces several hurdles.

Planning commissioners and residents have questioned the amount of road and other infrastructure work needed to handle the huge traffic influx. The city would also have to waive its building height limits for all five of the towers.

And then there’s the matter of the economy and the paralysis among lenders: Where would GSG get the money to build it?

In short, the project seems a long way from being built.

Darby Fitzpatrick, a GSG spokeswoman, declined Thursday to cite the cost of the development or how the company hopes to finance it. In fact, she said, what’s built on the site may end up not looking at all like what was filed with the city.

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The plan for an apartment complex across the street from Fiesta Henderson has been unanimously approved by Henderson City Council — but not at the higher density sought by the builder.

The council rejected a request for a special permit that would have allowed Trammel Crow to build 380 units on the 10.5 acres at Lake Mead Parkway and Fiesta Drive. Instead, the city approved a 252-unit project.

Station Casinos, which owns Fiesta Henderson, is selling the land to Trammell Crow.

Earlier this month the Planning Commission recommended allowing the higher density if the developer could prove the project was “workforce housing” by making an agreement guaranteeing Fiesta Henderson employees first dibs on leasing the apartments. They’d be able to walk to work.

The City Council decided not to allow the higher density, citing concerns about traffic in the area. The council added the condition that the apartment complex must be gated.

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The North Las Vegas City Council has approved another major project for near Interstate 15 and the Las Vegas Beltway.

The unnamed 544-room hotel at Centennial Parkway and Linn Lane was approved Wednesday night. There was no opposition.

It’s the second time in the past two months that a hotel has been approved for the area many are calling “Casino Alley.” The city hopes the area along I-15 will attract tourists headed into Las Vegas from Utah.

The hotel approved this week does not include gaming. It will have 10 structures on about 12 acres.

Last month the city Planning Commission approved the project with the condition the buildings along Centennial not exceed three stories. The developer also signed a waiver acknowledging activities at the nearby National Guard training grounds can be loud, bright or odorous.

The conditions are similar to those met by the recently approved Miller Casino. That project will include an eight-story hotel and casino on 73 acres at Sloan Lane and I-15.