City waiting for 160 acres

WASHINGTON -- Henderson is awaiting final government action to receive title to 160 acres of land it wants to incorporate into a new park and city complex.

Bureau of Land Management officials have invited public comment until Oct. 9 on a proposal to convey public land to the city at South Newport Drive and Pueblo Boulevard, on the east side of Henderson.

The city envisions that the proposed Heritage Park will contain a senior and recreation center, police and fire substations and other amenities, said Stephanie Garcia-Vause, deputy director of community development.

"It is unusual (for the city to) ask for one parcel as large as 160 acres," Garcia-Vause said.

She added that the site would suit a "wide variety of purposes."

The planned complex will include sports fields, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and bike and hiking trails, the BLM indicated in a notice published Aug. 24 in the Federal Register.

Henderson can get the land for free if it is used for recreational, civic or municipal uses, said Cheryl Cote, a BLM real estate specialist in Las Vegas.

Henderson is working with federal authorities to acquire excess properties to accommodate the development of public infrastructure and growth.

A Senate committee has scheduled a hearing for later this month on a bill by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., that would place another 502 acres of BLM land under Henderson jurisdiction.

The land is near the Henderson Executive Airport and could be used by the city for either commercial or public use.