LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — One glance at the Smith Center playbill revealed a change in casting for the role of Las Vegas mayor. The curtain closed on the 25-year Goodman performance as Shelley Berkley began her opening act.
In the limelight, Berkley laid out her vision for the City of Las Vegas as one of overwhelming possibilities—within the city’s newly restricted budget.
Berkley started her speech on five issues which she campaigned on and explained how she and the city was responding to them.
Badlands settlement
The “final resolution” in the Badlands dispute is expected to cost $286 million, and Berkley indicated the arduous chapter for the city was coming to a close.
“A nine-and-a-half-year nightmare is over and the city can now move forward,” she said. “Lennar has purchased the Badlands Golf Course and will build 1,440 homes on land that is now a giant empty hole.”
The cost to the city causing a partial hiring freeze as Berkley indicated the settlement will reverberate through the city’s budget for a while.
“As a result, the city will tighten our belt for a while, and some projects have been put on hold for a while,” she said. “But we are moving forward.”
Berkley was asked when the partial hiring freeze, which does not include positions in public safety, would end.
“Can I tell you if it’s a year or two years,” Berkley asked in response. “No. Will our belt tightening last until this term is mayor is over? No. We’ll be back to where we need to be much sooner than that.”
Cashman Center
Berkley said the sale of Cashman Center is moving forward following a series of bids for the property.
“Cashman is under contract for slightly over $36 million Lennar, once again, is the purchaser with plans to build workforce housing on the property,” she said. “I believe the entire area in Ward 5, which is, as you know, close to downtown, will be changed forever in a very positive way.”
Protecting animals
Coming off the heels of several serious animal related issues, Berkley said she is committing the city to respond to bad human behavior, abuse, abandonment, and neglect of animals.
“I am working with the rescues to find and provide resources necessary to spay, neuter and microchip our four-legged friends to help with overpopulation,” she said. “And to alleviate misery and suffering to this end on May 9 and 10, the city is partnering with two rescues to ensure that we provide free spay and neutering to people who would like to have this service for their pets.”
Berkley also touted the city’s effort to find and eliminate illegal backyard breeders who are breaking city ordinance and state law.
“The marshals will find them and we will prosecute them,” she said.
Homelessness
On the topic of homelessness, Berkley described the city’s previous strategy as lacking on resolutions.
“The city is spending a fortune on helping the homeless,” she said. “And yet the problem is getting worse.”
Berkley said homelessness has increased for Las Vegas by 20% compared to last year, and said she planned to meet with homeless shelter leaders in June to draft a plan.
“I am committed to finding solutions to this crisis, human beings should not be living on the streets,” she said. “It’s dangerous, it’s unhealthy, it’s filthy and it’s inhumane.”
Growth and development
Not far from the groundbreaking location for the Cello Tower, Berkley said the growth in just the Symphony Park area has been astounding.
“These projects, along with the new medical office building, plans for a new art museum envisioned by Elaine Wynn and her team,” she said. “And a casino developed by Derek Stevens on the northeast corner of Symphony Park, are all in our future.”
Berkley said the focus on more community space comes at a time of much growth and potential celebration for the city.
“When I look out my other window, I see Civic Plaza, which will bring almost all of our city services to one location in downtown, where well over 1000 of our dedicated city staff will be working,” she said. “We are creating a fantastic space for concerts and festivals and community celebrations like perhaps another Stanley Cup victory party. How perfect.”
