Town Square Project for Locals Too?
Has anyone seen the tractors and water trucks grading the land on the northeast quadrant of Las Vegas Boulevard at the Bruce Woodbury Beltway, better known as the I215? Marnell Corrao Associates, a construction and consulting firm, has begun grading the land in preparation for a Town Square. According to an article in the August 22nd Las Vegas Review Journal, “The $500 million mixed use project will be…1.4 million square feet of boutique, retail shops, restaurants, offices, a cinema complex, and a hotel.” Remember when this area used to be Vacation Village?
This joint venture is between Las Vegas based Centra Properties and the Florida based Turnberry Associates and this is what the city needs. An article on the Turnberry.com website said, “The pedestrian friendly Town Square…will have a lifestyle center that is designed as an escape from the hustle and bustle of The Strip. It will include lush landscaping, a carousel, pop fountains for children, and numerous spots for shoppers to enjoy a relaxing environment and picturesque mountain views.”
These mixed-use projects seem to be the latest construction style for the entire Las Vegas valley. We too will see projects being constructed right here in the south valley. I will report these new developments as soon as I learn about them. Call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531, if you have any questions.
The New Plaza Retail Center
With all of the construction projects in our area have you ever wondered what stores will be brought to our neighborhood? On October 5th, 2005 I met Richard and Patricia Lucas, the owners of the newly constructed Plaza Retail Center at Pollock Drive and Pyle Avenue next to Rhino Mart gas station. I asked them, “Do you know who the tenants are going to be yet?”
“There will be an Asian grocery store on the corner nearest the street, a nail and hair salon over here, and a dry cleaning company back there,” Richard said as he pointed toward the back of the development. He continued by saying, “We are still negotiating with other businesses though.”
I then asked him, “How many units are for rent here?”
He told me, “There are fourteen units in the building but some businesses will rent more than one space, for example, the Asian market will occupy the two end units.”
I then called Amato Commercial Group, the strip mall’s leasing agent, at (702) 796-6515 to learn more. I spoke to Amber Amato, their transaction administrator, and asked her if she knew when the project would be completed? “At the end of this month” she replied. This is the kind of development that makes our lives easier by bringing services to our neighborhood. I wonder who else will rent there. I heard from a source, which wishes to remain anonymous, that we may even get a Baskin Robins. YEE HAA, I would love to walk my dog down there to have a couple scoops of rocky road ice cream in a waffle cone!
Bermuda Road Construction
What is happening to Bermuda Road between Warm Springs Road and Silverado Ranch Boulevard? I used to use Bermuda Road to avoid the congestion on Las Vegas Boulevard, but now I try to avoid Bermuda Road completely. On October 10th, 2005 I interviewed Bruce Harris, a quality control manager for Wells Cargo, a general contracting company that specializes in road construction. I want to find out what exactly they are doing and when the project will be finished.
Harris informed me, “This 270 day (nine month) task will widen Bermuda Road to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane.” Nine months from September 12th (the day construction began) puts the estimated completion date in the middle of next June. Harris then pulled out his copy of the master streets and highways plan to show me the projects future. Great! There is going to be a traffic signal for the intersection of Pyle Avenue at Bermuda Road. Harris went on to show me where there will be more street lights, and school flashers near the corner of Maulding Avenue at Bermuda Road. He then said, “Robindale Road will get a traffic signal but that won’t be us…that will be put in by somebody else in the future.”
Last month it took me almost twenty-five minutes to get to the airport. When Bermuda Road is completed we should be able to make that same trip in fifteen minutes. These really are exciting times to be living in the south valley.
I Support Our Troops
When people find out that I was in the United States Army the first question they ask is, “What do you think about our troops in Iraq?” I personally have never been to Iraq but I do have several soldiers there and speak to some of them quite frequently. A few nights ago my young soldier buddy Michael Edwards, now a Sergeant with Bravo Company 1/18 Infantry Division, called me from his home in Wurzburg, Germany.
“They’re sending us back to theatre (the combat zone) in the first part of next year,” Michael said slowly.
“Michael, what do you think about our troops in Iraq?” I asked. I knew he would tell me what was on his mind having had been to Iraq and seen combat himself.
“98% of the people in Iraq want us there” he said. He followed up by saying, “You know, Saddam had set laws and ruled with an iron fist…People feared him…Now it’s the few that feel we are the terrorists… They feel they are not doing anything wrong.” This 2% of the population are the people who are making improvised explosive devices, or make shift booby traps, that are killing and wounding ours, and their, troops and innocent civilians.
“How do you think we are dealing with the situation, are you upset?” I asked him feeling the anxiety in his voice.
“I don’t feel bad but I’m sad about my friends that I lost…” The phone went silent.
“Michael, are you there?” I asked.
“Yes,” he replied a few moments later. “It’s just…” He paused.
“It’s okay Mikey, we don’t have to talk about this any more,” I said comforting him. So, you ask me what do I think about our troops in Iraq? I support our troops in Iraq and optimistically await their safe return.
Cross Traffic Does Not Stop!!
Recently, someone from Canyons 3 called me and told me how dangerous the intersection at Cactus Avenue and Bermuda Road is. She said, “People going north on Bermuda sometimes don’t understand that they don’t need to stop…it is very dangerous.” She asked me if I could tell somebody about the lack of signage. I called Clark County Traffic Management Division on October 11, 2005 and spoke to Paul Couture, an engineering technician.
I asked Couture, “How can we get better signage for the very confusing intersection of Bermuda Road at Cactus Avenue?”
After I told him the location of the intersection again he said, “I will put it on the list for research.” He went on to tell me, “In Nevada we follow a nationwide mandate and it depends on the amount of traffic volume that area gets…After the study is finished and the data is collected we’ll put up the necessary signs.” If there is an area that you are concerned with tell me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531, and I will see what I can do.
Mom’s Easy Cheese Cake
Graham cracker piecrust
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
With electric mixer on high, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt until well mixed. Pour into prepared graham cracker crust. Bake in 350-degree oven for 20 minutes. Try topping with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
