December 2005

Who wants to Help with a Community BBQ?
I, Brad Emens, am coordinating a Silverado Ranch community BBQ/party for this spring, 2006. This will become an annual event with something for everyone; face painting and jumpy houses for the kids, my signature BBQ chicken and pork with all the fixings, live music, and free raffles for prizes every half hour. What do you think? Family and friends will be invited from blocks around. My vision is to hold this festival centrally at Cactus Avenue and Amigo Street. Today, that area is a gravel pit. In 2010, if I have any thing to do with it, it will be a park where we will celebrate. Until then, I will be diligently looking for a green, grassy area to hold such an event. If you have any ideas about activities or a location for the party call me, Brad Emens (702) 808-3531, or email me at sgtbrad@cox.net with your comments and ideas.

Cactus Court
Have you seen the DR Horton housing development across the street from Cactus Jack’s near Maryland Parkway and Cactus Avenue? These homes are triplexes, three separate housing units in a single building that share common walls, that range in price* from $221,900 to $264,900. There will be three models; a 1,210 square foot model with 2-bedroom/2-bathrooms for $221,900; a 1,399 square foot, 3-bedroom/2.5-bathroom model for $244,900; and a 1,617 square foot, 3-bedroom/2.5-bathroom model for $264,900. With the price of land still appreciating faster than the price of homes we will see high-density developments more and more. This will keep housing affordable. If you would like to learn more about these or any other real estate opportunities call me, Brad Emens (702) 808-3531.
*Price subject to change and does not include any options

What will be next to Lowe's?
Recently, an interested local emailed me with a question. The question read, “Thank you for your work. I look forward to reading your South Valley Reader every month. What will be developed at the corner of Jeffery’s Street and Dave Street?” The answer that I researched and discovered is: There are two vacant parcels west of the Lowe’s and east of Positano Apartments. The northeast lot, closest to the Lowe’s entrance from Jeffery’s Street, is a 19.6 +/- acre lot owned by DR Horton Inc. It cost $8,803,000 on June 22nd, 2004. This parcel is now zoned R-E (two units per acre) and is currently in Resolution of Intent (ROI). The developer will go before Clark CountyCommissioners on January 4th, 2006 to see if its development plan is the highest and best use for the parcel. DR Horton wants to build triplexes there, similar to Cactus Court. I will keep you posted on the outcome.
The southeast parcel, bordered by St. Rose Parkway on the south, is a 6.93+/- acre lot and is currently zoned R-E (two units per acre). Kevin Golshan ETAL paid $5,150,000 on August 12th in 2004 for it. On December 13th, 2005 I spoke with James Gross from Clark County’s Comprehensive Planning Division. He told me, “The owner of the land wants to build three towers and they are approved for, up to, 100 feet in height.” He then told me, “It (the proposed design plan) is for a mixed use development and they were approved for everything they asked for.” I wonder how much will be allowed?
Wow, can you imagine that? We will have a high-rise/high-density multifarious working/living area to our east. The southwest corner of Jeffrey’s Street at Dave Street, across from Positano Apartments, is in Resolution of Intent (ROI) for C-2, or general commercial. When more information is released I will let you know. Thank you again and, as always, I welcome your questions.

I wish I had a Crystal Ball Picture is only simulation
On December 5th, 2005 I attended a community meeting south of downtown regarding a future high-rise complex. First American Property Advisors is the organization that provided the redevelopment information. The Redevelopment Handbook says, “You may exchange your current condo for a new unit of equal size in the new high-rise tower at no cost to you.”*1 The 2-bedroom/2-bathroom units now are selling for about $200,000. That is $232 per square foot and the future price per square foot, for non-owners, may be upwards of $390-$420 per square foot.
If one would like a larger unit than they currently own he/she may purchase a larger unit. The handbook goes on to say, “The owner may increase or decrease the number of bedrooms and will be charged or compensated for the difference at $350 per square foot.”*2 When I wrote this story on December 16th, 2005 I checked the MLXchange (MLS). I found that the current high-rise market is selling for about $362-$986 per square foot. The high-rise market is here and will continue to become more prevalent as land values continue to rise. At the meeting, Michael Maloney, a supporter of the proposed development,said, “There will be four buildings with about 2,900 units and about 740 units in each building.” If you are interested in learning more about being part of this Las Vegas “Manhattanization” call me, Brad Emens (702) 808-3531. *First American Property Advisor Inc., Casa Vegas Redevelopment Handbook September 12, 2005

Toast a New Year with our Mayor
It will be tough to beat last year's Las Vegas party that celebrated the city's 100th birthday and kicked off a year of centennial events. But, Las Vegas Events and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority plan on doing just that. According to an article in americasparty2006.com, “Fireworks by Grucci met with city leaders at the Fashion Show Mall to announce the details for America’s Party.” The article went on to say, “The theme of the pyrotechnic display will be Vegas Through the Years: A Finale to the Centennial.”
The Las Vegas New Year extravaganza will ring in 2006 with classic Las Vegas style. The “tribute in light and sound” will celebrate Las Vegas rich history with a grand finale to honor the city’s Centennial. According to lasvegasevents.com, “More than 40,000 effects will be fired from rooftop locations.” In fact, “The soundtrack to the show will include Las Vegas icons like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Tom Jones, Elvis and Liberace.” The ten-rooftop locations for the pyrotechnic display include the Excalibur, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Bally’s, Flamingo Las Vegas, Venetian, Treasure Island (TI), Stardust, Circus-Circus and Stratosphere. Mayor Oscar Goodman said, “Las Vegas is like no other city in the world. We’re ending our Centennial year with a bang, literally.” He went on to say, “The magnitude of this spectacular fireworks display will pay tribute to the greatness of Las Vegas, and I guarantee you won’t want to miss it.”
Party goers spending the evening downtown at the Fremont Street Experience, where Las Vegas first began, will pay tribute to Las Vegas history with a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music and entertainment beginning at 7 p.m. Mayor Oscar Goodman, and 12,000 revelers, plan on breaking the Guinness record for the World’s Largest Toast under the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience. The toast will be at 11:50 p.m. on December 31, 2005. For information on New Year’s Eve festivities throughout Las Vegas, visit www.visitlasvegas.com. For information about America’s Party: 2006, visit www.americasparty2006.com