Developing disagreements

The Ward 6 race for Las Vegas City Council started out contentiously and rapidly progressed to rancorous, with the candidates describing each other as compromised by special interests and unable to represent everyday citizens.

It should be no surprise, then, that incumbent Steve Ross and challenger Jennifer L. Taylor have widely different views on issues affecting the city and on what has happened in northwest Las Vegas during Ross' tenure.

Taylor, 42, co-founder of a group called Northwest Residents for Responsible Growth, says northwest Las Vegas has grown too fast and too much, and that city officials are being myopic about developing a better economy for the city.

Ross, 46, meanwhile, says he has worked hard to make sure the development that has taken place came with infrastructure and amenities people expect. Furthermore, he says the city is on the right track when it comes to dealing with economic challenges.

Ward 6 grew quickly during the real estate boom, sprouting housing and shopping centers. Now that the boom is over, the area finds itself among the hardest hit by foreclosures and abandoned properties.

"Ward 6 is, I think, a microcosm of some of the problems that we've had in this city," said Taylor, who added that the city has remained too reliant on gaming and construction.

"I think we need to step back, and say, 'What do we really need to make Ward 6 a great place to live, to balance between growth and the rural estates?' "

Ross said he already has worked hard to achieve that balance. For instance, Ross said, he makes developers meet with neighborhood residents before they bring plans to the city, which "starts the right process of the people being heard."

Ross said he also has required developers to complete street and sidewalk improvements earlier, so that the infrastructure is in place once new developments start to be occupied.

Still, he said, "there are just challenges when you have these master-planned communities wanting to do the urban thing next door to the horse thing. ... It's been a challenge to blend them."

Another challenge for the entire valley is economic diversification, which relates to the proposed building of a new city hall. Among the benefits touted are new construction jobs and opening of land for as many as two new casinos, highlighting Southern Nevada's economic mainstays that are in big trouble right now.

There are "big differences" between more Strip development and new casinos downtown, Ross said. It's been three decades since downtown had a new casino. Plus, the city has brought in the World Market Center, the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute and two office buildings, and more projects are planned.

"It's part of the diversification of downtown," said Ross, who supports the redevelopment process. "Is another casino going to be built? Gosh, I hope so. Because that's still a driving force in our economy."

Taylor disagreed.

"I am not a supporter of a new city hall," she said, noting that it's another instance of boosters pushing the same old thing.

"What gets touted behind the construction jobs? Oh, there's going to be a casino," Taylor said. "What we see is casino after casino filing for bankruptcy, or on the brink of."

She called the city hall project too risky, adding that it commits "too much of our public funds without any guarantee that the city, and its citizens, will truly benefit from this bargain."

Taylor said residents must be able to vote on proposals that create debt for the city.

She also opposed the Kyle Canyon development (now in foreclosure) that called for thousands of new houses and a casino on the edge of town.

She said city leaders should do more to force developers to "think outside the box."

"We need to find industries that make people need to come to Las Vegas, not want to come to Las Vegas," Taylor said.

The winner is expected to be chosen in the April 7 primary.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.