An artists’ rendering of the planned Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas. The park will have trails, a 3.5-acre children’s play area, a dog park, picnic grounds with shade structures and water features.
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009 | 5:29 p.m.
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New park site
Beyond the Sun
North Las Vegas leaders have moved forward with building the city’s first regional park even though the project could be tied up in court.
The City Council on Wednesday voted to reinvest savings from construction costs to future phases of Craig Ranch Regional Park.
Construction has started on the first phase and is scheduled to open next autumn, but a company is challenging the awarding of the contract in District Court.
The Council awarded the $11.1 million bid to Hardy Construction on July 15 over the protest of the second lowest bidder, Wiser Construction, whose bid was $570,000 higher.
Wiser filed for an injunction, claiming Hardy lacks the proper contractor’s license to build parks.
A District Court judge denied Wiser’s request for a temporary restraining order on July 28, saying the city did not abuse its discretion in determining that Hardy was a responsible bidder.
The court will hold a hearing regarding Wiser's motion for preliminary injunction on Sept. 3.
Council members did not discuss the pending court hearing during their meeting.
The cost of public projects has declined since the city began planning the park four years ago, said Mike Henley, director of Parks and Recreation. The first two phases are expected to cost a combined $15.2 million less than originally planned.
Those funds will go toward features that are too costly at this time, including a cultural arts amphitheater, a community garden and a swimming lake with beach, Henley said.
The first phase of the 135-acre regional park will include a 4-acre playground, an entrance off Revere Street, lighted parking, utilities, restrooms, a dog park, lighted trails, picnic shelters and perimeter fencing and is projected to be complete in late 2010. It will also connect to the regional trail system.
“It will be unlike anything else in Southern Nevada,” Henley said. “We’re going to be very proud of it.”
The park is located off Craig Road and Commerce Street and used to be a golf course. The city plans to save as many of the mature trees and green space as possible.
Phase two plans for the park include ball fields, volleyball, tennis and basketball courts and the valley’s largest skate park. The planned completion date for phase two is late 2011, Henley said.
The city is not contributing to the cost of the park. It is fully funded from the sales of federal lands in the valley through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.
The city has about $118 million dedicated to the park including the $52 million cost to purchase the former golf course.
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