The Center to open Forbuss building near downtown

Las Vegas' gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community will have a larger permanent place to call home in December when The Center opens its Robert L. Forbuss Building at 401 S. Maryland Parkway.

According to Stephanie Rosol, president of The Center's Board of Directors, the new building marks a period of growth for the nonprofit, which has been in existence since 1992.

"We've always been in a space we quickly outgrew," Rosol said. "This (new building) is the culmination of a five-year plan. We've been needing a new home in order to grow and one that we can own - not lease."

The Center began its $4 million renovation Aug. 7 at the building located between downtown and the Huntridge neighborhood. Candice Nichols, executive director for The Center, said it's an ideal location for the nonprofit, which has been situated in Commercial Center, 953 E. Sahara Ave., since 2001.

"At the heart of any urban development, there should be an LGBT presence," Nichols said. "I think it will revitalize that neighborhood. I also think it's that east anchor of what's going on downtown. We're going to have an impact on all of that area."

Nichols envisions The Center becoming a community space for residents throughout the valley, with expanded youth, senior and mental health programs. Features of the Robert L. Forbuss Building are set to include an events center, café and counseling rooms, among other additions.

"We'll be more of a cultural center," Nichols said. "We'll be able to evolve in the community center, and everyone will want to be involved - not just people who need our services."

The Center provides services from HIV testing to computer labs and weekly meetings. Nichols anticipates that several of these programs will grow in December, including expanding testing from two to five days a week and adding employees to its mental health staff.

One particular area in which Rosol looks to expand is youth programming. The nonprofit has support groups and events for those ages 13 to 24, but Rosol hopes to add more.

"At the building we're in now, our youth groups can meet a couple of times a week," Rosol said. "At the new place, it will be a drop-in center. We're looking to expand on more educational programs, and we're now looking at how we can expand for future generations."

The hope for expansion with the new building, however, has its challenges. The Center needs more than $1 million of the campaign's $4 million for the building. Another element needed, Rosol said, is residents' support.

"The Center needs support from the community," Rosol said. "We're continually raising funds for the campaign, but we want people to know what The Center does, be a part of it and demystify some of the ideas they have about the LGBT community."

A challenge The Center members have recently faced is the death of the building's namesake, Robert L. Forbuss, on Aug. 13. Nichols said she is proud to bear Forbuss' name on The Center's permanent home.

"(Forbuss) was an out-and-proud businessman and a good educator," Nichols said. "We're very proud that our building will be his legacy."

Nichols said that like Forbuss, she wanted The Center to be a visible and vital part of the community, which is one of the reasons for the building's location near downtown.

"We needed to stay central when looking for a building," Nichols said. "We have people come from Laughlin, Boulder City and Kingman because they don't have that center. It's very visible. You can't miss it driving down Maryland Parkway. Having that visibility was one of the most important things with this new building."

For more information on The Center, call 733-9800 or visit thecenterlv.com.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-4686.