Improvement bonds approved

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The financial ball is now rolling on a number of projects designed to keep Henderson up to date.

The City Council approved the issuance of $56 million in bonds for various projects at its Oct. 4 meeting. The bonds will finance the city's portion of municipal court expansion project, a new police substation, a senior citizens center, the Convention Center remodeling project and a street utility project.

Although the vote was preceded by an official public hearing, comment on the issuance of the bonds was limited to one City Council member.

"These are all very good projects that need to be done, a very good use of bond money," Councilman Arthur Hafen said.

There is no tax increase associated with the issuance of the bonds. The money to pay for them will come from sales tax.

Henderson Finance Director Steve Hanson said he knew this group of projects was coming up so he decided to group them together. Those who will make direct use of the bonds are motivated to get their projects underway.

Now that work on The Plaza, the outdoor area between City Hall and the Henderson Convention Center, has begun, planners are excited make the Convention Center worthy of what is designed to become a stylish space.

Rob Brisendine, director of operations for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the building, constructed in 1982, could use some updating. The remodel will focus on the interior amenities of the venue and make the indoor and outdoor spaces more conducive to each other.

An architectural design team is being created to craft the overall vision for the Convention Center redesign. Construction should begin sometime in late September to early October 2006.

The project was allocated $5.9 million of the bond with an additional $1.4 million from the Convention Center fund, for a total estimated project cost of $7.3 million.

Brisendine said the goal is to make the downtown Henderson area one of the premier special events destinations in the southwest.

"The economic impact and the identity it's going to bring to Henderson is definitely worth it," he said.

In 2004, the Henderson Convention Center hosted 725 events and brought over 230,000 people downtown . Brisendine expects with the introduction of outdoor space the numbers will double in the first year of operation.

In other action, the council voted to:

Approve the establishment of a new massage studio at 1628 W. Warm Springs Road. The applicants had requested extended hours but the council only allowed the business to be open until 7 p.m.

Approve a petition to vacate a drainage easement located northeast of Horizon Ridge Parkway and Valle Verde Drive.

Approve the establishment of a procedure for creating or amending the list of approved real estate appraisers allowed to appraise in Henderson.

Approve an ordinance formalizing the requirements for street naming and addressing in Henderson.

Approve an ordinance amending Title 13 of the Henderson Municipal Code, which regulates the Southern Nevada Water Authority regional commodity charge.

Approve Mayor Jim Gibson's appointment of Whitney James as a student representative from Liberty High School to the Henderson Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Opportunity and Educational Excellence. John J. Williams, III was also appointed to the commission.

Approve the rezoning of a land parcel at the northwest corner of Venice Avenue and Milan Street to Low Density Residential.

Approve the rezoning of a land parcel on Buena Vida Avenue between Horizon Ridge Parkway and Green Valley Parkway to Medium Density Residential with a planned unit development overlay.

Approve the rezoning of a land parcel on the southeast corner of Venice Avenue and Milan Street to Low Density Residential with a planned unit development overlay.