Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Developer offers new plan

Wal-Mart project might have soccer fields

Click image for enlargement. Graphic by PAM KILLINSWORTH/REVIEW-JOURNAL

A controversial Wal-Mart Supercenter probably will be built on public land next to McCarran International Airport, but one county representative hopes he will score points with residents if a new soccer complex is included in the project.

County Commissioner Rory Reid, who oversees the older neighborhood, sent developer Marnell Corrao Associates away in June and said its plan for 160 acres of leased airport land would not be approved without input from residents.

Although some homeowners are firmly against a Wal-Mart on a 20-acre portion of a parcel at Russell Road and Eastern Avenue, Reid said he would entertain an opportunity for a developer to build soccer fields in an otherwise heavily developed neighborhood.

"This is a unique opportunity because it's 160 acres of public land in the middle of a district I represent," Reid said. "There needs to be a buffer between the project and residents, and the development should provide something that benefits the public."

Reid said that he met with the developers Monday and that they had a proposal for soccer fields on the north end of the property.

Representatives from Marnell Corrao did not return phone messages Monday.

The plans to develop the vacant land drew harsh words from commissioners and homeowners last summer.

Commissioners learned in June they unknowingly had approved a lease agreement that allowed a Wal-Mart Supercenter. The agreement was buried in a contract between the airport and Marnell Corrao.

Neither homeowners nor board members realized that a Wal-Mart at the site was a done deal.

Commissioners' outrage prompted the airport to change the manner in which it handles lease agreements. The board asked that it and neighbors of affected land be involved early in the negotiations rather than when a lease is up for approval.

Under Marnell Corrao's revised plan, to be unveiled Wednesday, Wal-Mart will move from the southwest corner of Russell and Eastern. A 42-foot-high, 203,000-square-foot Wal-Mart would be built on the north side of Patrick Lane west of Eastern Avenue.

McCarran runways are directly across the street from the proposed store site, which is about a half-mile away from homes.

Reid said he will not voice support for the new plan until it is outlined at Wednesday's public hearing.

"I am willing to look at it," Reid said. "I'm glad the developer was willing to talk to the neighborhood, and I'm glad the neighborhood was willing to take part in the discussion. It remains to be seen whether what they're proposing is appropriate."

Homeowner concerns about pedestrian safety because of the traffic Wal-Mart will attract has not been resolved. Reid said the developer must address the question before the project is approved.

"I'm concerned about the safety of schoolchildren that have to cross Russell and Eastern," Reid said. "We need to make sure that this development addresses those concerns."

Over the years, the expansion of McCarran has crept into the neighborhood. In 2001, the airport entered willing-buyer, willing-seller agreements with homeowners just north of Russell. The airport razed 440 apartments, condominiums and homes to make space for a new terminal.

To appease remaining members of the neighborhood, the county promised to build a 22-acre park between the new terminal and Russell. The park is in the planning stages.

Bob Reeve, who owns homes north of Russell and west of Eastern, called the neighborhood meetings with Marnell Corrao representatives "open and forthright."

Reeve has concerns about pedestrian safety but said he is pleased Wal-Mart agreed to change the location of its new Supercenter. He and his neighbors came to accept that Wal-Mart's lease agreement with the county was legal and the store would be built.

"I sense there's more willingness to accept the current plan," Reeve said. "I don't want to see the county tied up in a lose-lose lawsuit where we might end up with a Wal-Mart in the original location."