UNLV officials set sights on 38 acres of county land
After recently closing on the purchase of 42 acres at Tropicana Avenue and Koval Lane for more buildings and a possible football stadium, UNLV officials are working on an agreement with Clark County to use 38 acres of county land next to the just-acquired 42-acre parcel.
The county’s 38 acres are on the west side of The Thomas & Mack Center across the street from McCarran International Airport, between Thomas & Mack and the 42 acres purchased for $50 million. The Board of Regents approved the 42-acre land deal on Dec. 3, with the closing taking place on Dec. 24. The total of 80 acres is needed for the land-challenged university, UNLV officials said.
The 42 acres was the former site of two mobile home parks and a small bar, said Mike Mixer, executive managing director and co-founder of the Colliers International Las Vegas office, which was the agent on the deal. Wells Fargo sold the land after a proposed development fell through.
The county land is needed to connect the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus with the 42-acre parcel. UNLV officials want to build either a campus village or a possible football stadium on the 42 acres, which will include commercial development along Tropicana Avenue.
UNLV and the county have to reach an agreement called a “memorandum of understanding” — or MOU — that outlines the university’s role and expectations in using the county’s 38 acres. Discussions between both sides have taken place for the past several years.
UNLV plans to ask the Regents to approve the MOU in March, said Gerry Bomotti, UNLV senior vice president for finance and business.
UNLV is working with Clark County to clean the site during the next month, including removing a block wall on the county property’s south side, along with some trees. A fence will then be installed along the Tropicana Avenue side.
Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com Find him on Twitter: @BicycleManSnel
