Capital construction plan gets OK, goes to governor

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Public Works Board on Wednesday approved a two-year, $928 million capital construction plan that includes a $225 million prison to be built at Indian Springs.

The plan will be forwarded to Gov. Jim Gibbons as he prepares his 2009-11 spending proposal.

The list of new projects includes a $50 million academic building for the hotel college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Harrah's Foundation pledged $25 million toward the project, with the other half to come from the state.

Overall, state money makes up $623 million of the plan, with the remainder coming from other sources.

Gibbons can tweak the list, and final approval of the construction plan rests with the 2009 Legislature.

The list approved by the board includes 21 new construction projects totaling $723 million. Maintenance and planning for future projects account for the remainder.

The new prison would include three housing units, a regional medical facility and a new site for executions.

Executions are carried out at the Nevada State Prison in the capital, an antiquated facility that Corrections Department Director Howard Skolnik is proposing to close.