Councilwoman Gerri Schroder answers questions and gives updates at Ward 1 Neighborhood Connections meeting

Henderson City Councilwoman Gerri Schroder gave updates and answered questions at her March 29 Neighborhood Connections meeting.

This was Schroder's third Ward 1 meeting since the city implemented the quarterly meetings in 2010.

"We find value in these," Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen said.

Schroder highlighted some of the improvements, openings and additions the city is expected to have in the next few months, from the developments at Heritage Park, 310 S. Racetrack Road, to the status of the River Mountains Loop Trail.

Workers at Heritage Park are adding restrooms and shade structures, as well as turf to 13 multiuse fields.

"We are completing it one step at a time," Schroder said. "(The parks and recreation department) is doing a great job."

Even though the River Mountains Loop Trail, a 35-mile trail that connects Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Henderson, Boulder City and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley, has been completed, Schroder urged potential runners, walkers and cyclists to watch out for partial closures due to construction on other intersecting trails.

"A portion is closed between mile 8.5 and mile 11," Schroder said.

People are encouraged to detour onto Lake Mead Parkway.

Schroder updated residents on Lake Las Vegas, which held a ribbon-cutting for the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa, 101 MonteLago Blvd., earlier in the day. Formerly Loews Lake Las Vegas, the property changed its name to the Westin to rebrand itself.

"We just keep moving forward," Schroder said.

Schroder also relayed that The Village at Lake Las Vegas, 30 Strada Di Villaggio, still is attracting a lot of business.

"There are only one or two (store) vacancies," Schroder said. "They are still offering their free concerts."

Schroder brought up the goals of the downtown reinvestment strategy, which hopes to revitalize the Water Street District area by increasing residents, jobs and visitors. The city has allocated money until 2025 to revitalize that area.

"That seems far away, but it's not," Schroder said.

Schroder also discussed potential city projects such as the Las Vegas National Sports Complex, a $1.3 billion project that has been proposed to be built near the M Resort; and Union Village, a state-of-the-art health, retail and multiuse center. If these projects are built, they could potentially bring thousands of jobs to the community, Schroder said.

About 100 people attended the meeting. Schroder received about 10 questions.

Two residents asked about dump trucks that have been shipping fill dirt from the corner of Ithaca Avenue and Magic Way to the Union Village site near U.S. Highway 95 and Galleria Drive. According to the city, the project was completed in November 2011, but residents said they keep seeing trucks.

Robert Murnane, the director of public works, said the trucks that residents are encountering might be for a different project.

The project caused some controversy last June after residents raised concerns about the trucks disrupting traffic and damaging streets.

"We are currently looking into the condition of the roads to see if they need to be improved," Murnane said.

Residents also asked about reporting nuances such as graffiti.

Both Hafen and Schroder encouraged residents to use Contact Henderson, which allows people to report and comment on any issue remotely.

People can access Contact Henderson through the city website, cityofhenderson.com, or by downloading an application for the iPhone through iTunes.

Once ready to submit a request, whether it is a question or a comment, people can choose a topic from animal control to permits and zoning.

"You can make them anonymous," Hafen said. "You still can make appointments with us. It is just another avenue."

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.