Developer targets Henderson for stadium project

Aspiring stadium developer Chris Milam is taking plans for major-league-quality soccer and baseball facilities to the city of Henderson.

Two months after the state Legislature rejected proposals to help Milam, or any developer, get government assistance for a sports stadium, he is pitching a plan for a project on what is now Bureau of Land Management property near M Resort.

A source familiar with the early stage of talks said the proposal is similar to one Milam envisioned near Russell Road and Interstate 15, not far from Mandalay Bay Resort and the Strip.

Financing for that plan would have required the Legislature to pass a bill to allow the developer to add a 12 percent "facility fee" to the cost of tickets and sales in the stadium.

The new proposal could be financed without direct aid from the city, the source said, because the land it would be built on is wide open, eliminating the need for expensive parking structures.

"I think that is one of the big deals; they don’t have to build a parking garage," the source said. "When you start to think about it, it is off (I-15). You have a casino and a ton of land. If you can get it up and running, it is a pretty good idea."

Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen acknowledged city officials have discussed stadium ideas with developers but said the talks are in early stages, and it would be weeks before there are any plans ready to take to the public.

"The only thing we can tell you this time is we are working with a number of developers," Hafen said.

The mayor said, "There are a couple of projects right now that are very early in the stages of discussion."

Hafen wouldn’t characterize what type of proposals he has seen, other than to say the city would welcome a stadium that could accommodate high-level professional sports.

"It would be great to have a facility of that type in Southern Nevada," he said. "In these economic times, we really want to look at every opportunity to bring jobs to the city of Henderson."

Both Hafen and the other source familiar with the talks said there is no agreement in place with any developer.

"It is not a done deal," Hafen said.

Kirsten Cannon, a spokeswoman for the BLM, said Henderson officials met recently with BLM officials and discussed the possibility of a land sale for a "sports resort training facility" in the same area.

Cannon said there are restrictions on how the BLM can sell federal land that probably would require the city to buy property and pass it along to a third party.

"If there were to be a direct sale, it would be to the city of Henderson, and the city of Henderson can dispose of it as it chooses," Cannon said.

Milam did not return calls or emails seeking comment Thursday.

His earlier proposal called for a $1.9 billion project that would have included a soccer stadium for a Major League Soccer franchise and a baseball stadium.

The baseball stadium was to be occupied first by the AAA-level Las Vegas 51s, which Milam had an agreement to purchase, with the potential to expand it to accommodate a Major League Baseball team.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@ reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.