Military base expansion may hurt some Indian Springs businesses

INDIAN SPRINGS -- Feathered dream catchers and beaded jewelry handcrafted by Native American tribes nationwide rest on the shelves at Auntie Moe's Trading Post.

The tiny gift shop in Indian Springs, a sleepy town about 50 miles north of Las Vegas, was pummeled by the recession.

When tourists stopped driving through town on their way to Death Valley, business slowed to a snail's pace. Owner Andrée Benton is struggling against the economic challenges facing her business of more than a decade. A world map on the shop's wall covered in pins from customers reveals just how good business was a few years ago.

Now, Benton marks on a calendar the number of customers who walk through her door each day. Most of this month is covered in big, squiggly zeros. Business has gotten so slow, the 71-year-old is forced to use a majority of her Social Security check to pay rent and utilities on the very place that provided most of her income.

A proposed plan by the Air Force to take over the 17-acre swath of land where her shop is located could dramatically change the face of Indian Springs and might be the final nudge that would put Benton and others out of business.

'IT WILL DESTROY ME'

Benton's shop tightly hugs the main stretch of U.S. Highway 95 that separates the town from the 2,300-acre Creech Air Force Base, which is the nation's hub for unmanned aerial systems. The aircraft can be launched near combat zones and controlled via satellite link by pilots in ground stations such as Creech that are thousands of miles away.

About 2,800 people work on the base, which is growing as it plays a bigger role in the military. Eight of those staffers, four military and four civilian, live in Indian Springs.

The drones, with the capability of so-called "remote split operations," are in high demand by commanders in Afghanistan, where they are routinely used to spy on Taliban and insurgent activities and launch missile strikes against them.

During the Iraq War, MQ-1 Predators controlled remotely in Nevada helped U.S. soldiers capture Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Most of the town's services and jobs are on property that shares a border with the base.

It's the most commercialized area of town that includes a 45-room motel, which sits next to the Indian Springs Casino. Dozens of slot machines surround a sports betting area. The 24-hour Flying Aces Bar is in the back.

The Springs Cafe Restaurant serves up everything from burgers and Philly cheese steak sandwiches to chocolate cake. The restaurant is full of base workers clad in green jumpsuits at the peak of the lunch rush.

Overgrown grass and weeds have invaded a nearby abandoned RV park. "No Trespassing" signs are scattered around broken fencing. Large black crows pick away at trash left behind.

Clark County and military officials are chatting about the possibility of purchasing or leasing the land owned by Indian Springs Holdings LLC to allow the base to extend its fence south, closer to the highway. The increased security buffer is part of anti-terrorism and force protection regulations imposed upon the base by the federal government.

At a recent County Commission meeting, Air Force officials outlined four possible scenarios of acquiring all or part of the land and what impact that might have on the town and its 991 residents, according to the 2010 census.

Taking over all 17 acres, the report states, would result in the demolition of all existing buildings and structures, wiping out most of the services and jobs in town, with the idea that businesses could eventually rebuild on 8 acres across the street owned by the same company, south of the highway.

If that happens, Benton said she will be out of business.

"It will destroy me if the Air Force kicks me out," Benton said, as tears welled up in her eyes. "It breaks my heart."

Military and county officials said they want to protect and preserve the town's history and integrity while reaching a conclusion that satisfies everyone. It's unclear what kind of financial assistance might be provided to business owners should the base take over the land completely.

Base officials said the report presented is in no way a decision document and that they're still working to formulate a plan.

Ann Brauer, a member of the Indian Springs Town Advisory Board, said the land houses 92 percent of the town's operating commercial property and 78 percent of service jobs.

"We can't afford the loss of the property, its services, jobs and the revenue from taxes on licenses," Brauer told the commission by phone.

The Town Board wants the Air Force to find a way to solve the problem on its own property.

The base is up against the Desert National Wildlife Refuge to the north, "and the constraints on the base are not constraints that can be moved without moving the runway," Air Force officials said.

County Commissioner Larry Brown, who represents the area, said there might be an opportunity to utilize federal land south of the highway, but regardless of the outcome the county needs to "preserve the commercial opportunities and the jobs for Indian Springs."

"We want to do everything we can to support both missions of the Air Force and Indian Springs," Brown said. "I think there's a way to get there."

THE FACE OF INDIAN SPRINGS

Indian Springs has no grocery stores. Most folks will say they drive to "town" -- Las Vegas -- about once a month to get what they need.

The town has two gas stations, one on either side of the highway, which also serve as mini marts with soda, chips, candy and other goods.

The Indian Springs Schools, which serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade on one tiny campus, is home to the Thunderbirds and has one principal and one assistant principal.

A few dozen teachers cover topics in various grades.

Places of worship are scattered throughout the area, targeting Baptists and Mormons. County code doesn't allow casinos or bars within a certain distance of schools or churches, which presents another challenge to the base's proposed plan.

A majority of Indian Springs is taken up by mobile home parks with makeshift fences and a few ranches.

Bill McKean, 62, rakes away desert rocks in his yard. The sound of the metal rake scraping at the dry earth rings throughout his neighborhood.

McKean takes off his ball cap to wipe sweat from his brow and leans against the rake handle to rest. His 7-year-old Schnauzer, Jiggers, rests at his feet in the slim shade of a light pole and pants from the oven-esque heat.

McKean, a Vietnam War veteran who used to live across from Nellis Air Force Base, said he wants the Air Force to take over the land because the base provides security and emergency services to the town when needed.

"A lot of folks don't want it to expand because they work there," McKean said. "I say let them have what they want. The jobs will come back because most contractors like to use locals."

McKean would know. He retired after 33 years in the construction industry. One of his last projects was CityCenter on the Strip in Las Vegas.

At the Shell gas station, 25-year-old Jonathan Leal gives plastic wrap to a customer in need. It seems to be the mentality of the town, to help others whenever you are able.

Leal runs gas stations on both sides of the highway, which means the only 24-hour location could be closed, according to the base's report.

Should one be shut down, Leal said the other location would need to be open 24 hours and expand to accommodate increased foot traffic. If a deal is reached between the Air Force and the property owner, construction would be located near the gas station.

"I'm not really sure a closure would hurt my income," Leal said. "I know my friends at the casino are looking for jobs. They're worried."

THE ALTERNATIVES

According to the report, residents might have some alternatives.

The Air Force's first alternative is to acquire 11.75 acres through a partial leasehold interest. The hotel, casino and gas station on the property would remain open, but all other buildings would be demolished.

A second option would be to acquire a 3.2-acre easement that extends 125 feet on the west and 65 feet on the north. According to the proposal, this would not require demolishing any businesses but would impact some buildings at the recently closed recreational vehicle park.

The third alternative would be to continue the surveillance and renovation of the existing perimeter fence without acquiring any of the land.

"This alternative would not accomplish the goal of increasing the security buffer on the south boundary of the base," the report reads.

The final alternative is the "no action" alternative, which would keep the base noncompliant with federal guidelines, according to the environmental assessment.

Lt. Col. Michelle Dietrich said the Air Force has granted three extensions of the 30-day comment period included as part of the proposed plan's process to get as much input as possible. That plan is expected to be finalized in November.

Dietrich wrote in an email to the Review-Journal: "Once the report has been completed, the Air Force will obtain property appraisals and enter into formal negotiations with the property owner. ... It is our sincere hope that we will be able to continue working with the owners and community to resolve the security concerns while seeking alternate locations for compatible development throughout Indian Springs."

Todd Marshall, managing partner of Indian Springs Holdings, said the existing businesses are a success to the community.

"Our desire is to maintain those operations," Marshall said. "We have a lot invested out there."

He added there have been no discussions about how much money would be paid to buy or lease the land should his group reach a deal with the base.

"There's lots of rumors that the Air Force had already purchased the property and that buildings were scheduled to be demolished as soon as December," Marshall said. "That's simply not true."

Review-Journal reporter Keith Rogers contributed to this report. Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan @reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.