February 2006

The Future of Our Area?
I, Brad Emens REALTOR®, have been writing and publishing The Las Vegas South-Valley READER for almost two years. The Las Vegas South-Valley READER is my way of having my voice heard. For example, the presence of the gravel pit located near the corner of Cactus Avenue and Amigo Street is a mine, for lack of better terms, and of major concern to me. My vision for its future is a place of recreation with plenty of room for parking. When I bought my house in March 2003 the sales agent from Astoria Homes told me it would eventually be a park.
However, today, the issue everyone wants to know is when will the park, or detention basin, be completed? An article in the July 22, 2004 Las Vegas Sun reported, “The Clark County Commission gave a six-year lease on life to continue digging at a gravel pit in the residential Silverado Ranch area.” On Monday February 13, 2006, I spoke to Greg Cerven, a Clark County Planner. He told me, “They (Impact Sand and Gravel) have until December 31, 2010 to complete the project.”
A Las Vegas Sun article went on to say, “The mine operators will continue to meet with neighbors four times a year to discuss problems of noise, dust and other issues.” On February 7, 2006, I spoke to Luis Cervantes, a general manager for Impact Sand and Gravel (Cactus Sand and Gravel). I asked him if a community meeting is scheduled. He told me, “Only tentatively for the third week in March.”
The existence of the operation is unavoidable. Unfortunately the future of the gravel pit is uncertain but the way we can have it turned in to a Sports Park is by staying on top of its proceedings until the end of 2010. I will let you know when the next meeting is scheduled.

About the Author
I, Brad Emens, am a REALTOR®. I have been a licensed real estate agent in the state of Nevada for over two years. I consider this community an excellent place to reside and I am very enthusiastic to report the new growth and development of our community. I pride myself on providing service and look forward to creating a long-term relationship with the members of my community.
I have used southvalleyreader.blogspot.com to archive past issues of my publication, The Las Vegas South-Valley READER. Please, feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss the future of the Silverado Ranch area. Call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531, or check out my website www.BradEmens.com. I welcome your questions. By the way, do you know anyone that wants to buy, sell, or invest in real estate? I would appreciate if you referred them to me. Thanks.

Update on Blue Diamond Interchange.
When was the last time you tried to use the Blue Diamond Road exit to get to our area? If it was within the last few months then you have encountered a major road construction project. On February 10, 2006 I spoke to Bob McKenzie, a representative for NevadaDepartment of Transportation (NDOT). I asked him, “Who is building the interchange?”
He said, “Las Vegas Paving Corporation has the $31.9 million job of realigning State Route 160 (Blue Diamond Road) so it will intersect with Windmill Parkway.” When I asked McKenzie for an estimated completion date he said, “About another year.” He then told me, “The next improvement will widen State Route 160 (Blue Diamond Road) to eight lanes, four in each direction, from Valley View Boulevard to Decatur Boulevard.” He went on to say, “That project will probably start sometime this summer.” If you have been here for a while then you will agree a newer, wider interchange is long overdue.

New interchange for St Rose at Interstate 15
A new interchange for St. Rose Parkway at I-15 Interchange will be built by Frehner Construction Inc. This, $61.2 million, project is slated to begin construction in March 2006. It will improve St. Rose Parkway from Southern Highlands to Gilespie Street. In fact, the state is getting ready for the development of the South Valley

About me
I, Brad Emens, am a REALTOR®. I have been a licensed real estate agent in the state of Nevada for over two years. I consider this community an excellent place to reside. I would love to share with you my enthusiasm for the many neighborhoods that encompass it. I pride myself on providing service and look forward to developing a long-term relationship with the members of my community. I have used http://www.southvalleyreader.blogspot.com/ to archive past issues of my publication, The Las Vegas South Valley Reader©. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss what you want for Silverado Ranch. You can call me, 702-808-3531, or check out my website http://www.brademens.com/. I welcome your questions.

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

November 2005

Local Construction
Did any one see the triple-decker tower houses south of Pyle Avenue on Maryland Parkway? They seemed to just sprout from the ground last month. On October 12th, 2005 I stopped by Picket Lane, built by Richmond American Homes, sales office. These 1,430 sq ft, 1,532 sq ft and 1,730 sq ft homes range in price from $276,990* to $309,990* and all come standard with a 2 car garage. If you are interested in learning more about these homes call me, Brad Emens (702) 808-3531.
*Prices are subject to change and do not include options.

Is Las Vegas Housing Market Cooling Off?
Asking prices for homes have been dropping but sales prices are still on the rise. The median price for a home in the greater Las Vegas area is $310,000! Some neighborhoods have seen appreciation of 50%, 60%, even 70%. Now, it looks like things have leveled back off. I would be happy to see an appreciation of 5% or better next year.
On November 12, 2005, I spoke with Jack LeVine, a top producing Realtor in Las Vegas, about the real estate market. He said, “It has cooled off for the short term.” This time of year traditionally does slow down. In fact, people are less likely to buy or sell a home during the holiday/winter season. I have seen houses that have been sitting on the market for several weeks and even months. There are still ways to move your property. How? Here’s how:
Tip # 1 Hire a Realtor you trust. This is another solution to getting top dollar for your home. The amount, and type, of exposure your home gets can be measured in the amount of traffic you get. If you put up a “For Sale By Owner” sign the only people who know your home is for sale are our neighbors and the people out driving around looking for a deal.
Tip # 2 Set your price right. It is very difficult and expensive to sell an overpriced house. One way to find the true value of your home is by comparing it to similar homes that recently sold in the area and, more important, the entire Las Vegas Valley. If you want to compare your home to other houses that have sold feel free to call me, Brad Emens (702) 808-3531. I will be glad to give you a comparative market analysis.
Tip # 3 Prepare your home before putting a “For Sale” sign up. Help sell your home with low cost cosmetic steps. Hire a professional cleaning service to give your home a deep clean, cut the grass, clean up the outside, paint drab walls and remove the clutter of daily living. Why? Because people buy homes that appear clean, solid and well maintained.
Tip # 4 Sell your house with an “Open House.” Kick off your home selling campaign with an open house. Invite all the neighbors for blocks around your house. Show them your home's best points and tell them your price. Why? Because neighbors are the best promoters of the neighborhood and they all have friends and family who buy homes.
If you want to learn how to effectively market you home , or you know someone that does, I would appreciate it if you referred them to me, Brad Emens (702) 808-3531.

El Pollo Loco under construction.
Silverado Ranch Boulevard at Bermuda Road
On October 27th, 2005 I was getting gas at our local 7-11 on the corner of Silverado Ranch Boulevard at Bermuda Road. Across the street, next to Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, I saw a team of construction workers pull up the last frame to complete the skeletal structure of what seemed to be another retail center. Immediately, I drove over to the construction site to see what was going on.
Keith St. George, superintendent of the project, told me, “The south end unit will be an El Pollo Loco with a few more retail businesses behind it.” He told me, “Completion date will be in the middle, and more than likely, late January…” of 2006. The northwest corner, a 45 +/- acre lot currently zoned C-2 or general commercial, is owned by BROADCAST ASSOCIATES INC.
Wow, can you believe how fast our area has become more and more developed? I heard it through the grapevine that the empty lot, closer to Bermuda Road (on the northeast corner), will be a Bank of America. I wonder how long it will be before we get a Starbuck’s?

Boca Raton
Imagine, luxury mid-rise living without all the maintenance of a stand-alone home. Boca Raton condominium homes prices are in the low $300,000s and up to $1.2 million. They range in size from 593 square feet to 2,400 square feet. The homes come in 41 floor plans including the Caravella Model; a two-story condominium with a private street-side entrance. On November 8th, 2005 Dorothy Bell, an agent from Boca Raton’s sales center, said, “Most of the people buying here love the floor plans and appreciate that they don’t have to ride in an elevator for a long time.”
Located just off of Las Vegas Boulevard, at 2475 West Serene Avenue, Boca Raton condominium homes have 1 to 3 bedrooms and 1 ½ to 2 ½ bathrooms. According to latimes.com, “The seven-story community encompasses four buildings with 756 homes.” Two of the four buildings have been released and two-thirds of the homes already sold. Construction of Phase 1, which offers 172 homes, is supposed to be complete in the fall of 2006.
The best benefits of the Boca Raton community are its amenities. Some include concierge service, a business center, a fully equipped clubhouse, a movie theater, a fitness center, and two pools. Call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531, if you would like to learn more.

Cactus Sand and Gravel
The question I am asked most frequently is, “What’s the deal with the gravel pit?” On June 5, 2003 the Las Vegas Sun wrote this story.
“The pit, at Amigo Street and Cactus Avenue, just outside of Henderson, has for a decade bothered residents who complained of noise and dust from blasting, mining and hauling from the site. The pit, however, is ultimately supposed to become a basin to trap floodwaters, and so has support from the county government. Several other companies are participants in the operation. Impact Sand and Gravel is named in county documents as the operator of the site; Cactus Sand and Gravel and the Canarelli Family Trust.”
The exact future of the land is uncertain. An article in the July 22nd, 2004 Las Vegas Sun said,
“The Clark County Commission…gave a six-year lease on life to continue digging at a gravel pit in the residential Silverado Ranch area despite the warning from the county's legal counsel that the pit amounted to a commercial mining operation.”
At the last community meeting, held on August 8th, 2005, Luis Cervantes, one of the general managers and public relations representatives for Impact Sand and Gravel, told us, “It (the gravel pit) will not be a detention basin but a retention basin…that controls flooding down stream.” Did you know we live near the Pittman Wash? Its course runs a few hundred feet west of the intersection Maryland Parkway at Pyle Avenue. The retention basin will help control floodwaters on the south side of the valley and drain the rainwater to Lake Mead.
Development of our valley requires the presence of the gravel pit; I, Brad Emens, know this and my back yard faces Cactus Avenue. Every morning I hear the thunderous trucks at 4:00 AM. If you have any questions or concerns about the gravel pit there are quarterly community meetings. I will let you know when the next one is scheduled.

South Coast Casino Update
JA Tiberti Construction, who has been building in Las Vegas for more than fifty years, is the builder of the $600 million South Coast. I spoke with Andi Reddick, assistant to Ron Frye, Vice President of Construction for Coast Casinos, on November 8th, 2005. She told me, “The casino, Century Cinema, the north tower (guest rooms) and a 64 lane bowling alley are expected to open December 15th,” 2005. She went on to tell me, “The Equestrian Center is expected to open next February and the south tower will open at the beginning of May, 2006.”
Some of the attractions will include six restaurants, a sixteen screen movie theatre complex, 2,400 video poker and slot machines, a 600 seat bingo hall, a spa and fitness center, a 4,500 seat equestrian arena, and a 150,000 square foot meeting/exhibit hall. The South Coast Casino, the largest Boyd Gaming/Coast development to date, will open with 662 rooms in the north tower and a second, south tower, currently under construction, will have 695 rooms.
According to southcoastcasino.com, “The South Coast will employ nearly 2,400 people which will create over 10,000 new jobs in the work force of Las Vegas.” In Las Vegas, with the gaming and entertainment industry, our job market keeps growing with no end in sight.

How Far Will “The Strip” Go?
October 6th, 2005 the Las Vegas Review Journal said, “The developers of Southern Highlands unveiled plans to extend the Las Vegas Strip farther south.” Clark County Commissioners approved Olympia Gaming’s master plan to develop the 100-acre site catty-corner to Last Call Tavern near St. Rose Parkway at Las Vegas Boulevard.
The article went on to say, “The initial development will use 50 acres of the parcel and will include a $750 million hotel-casino that will have 610 rooms.” The article further reported, “About 20 acres of the overall site will feature mixed-use retail.” It also stated that when finished, “The project is expected to cost developers more than $2 billion.”
Another article, in the November 2nd, 2005 Las Vegas Sun reported, “The first phase is expected to open by summer 2008.” Can you imagine what will happen to our part of the valley over the next ten years? These really are exciting times to be living in the South Valley.

Local Development Put on Hold for Another Year
According to the October 20th, 2005 article in the Las Vegas Review Journal, “Clark County commissioners put an end to the feud between those defending their Old West life style and those (major developers) whose idea of a new frontier is a hotel-casino or master-planned community.” The article also said, “Commissioners rezoned nearly 3,500 pieces of property to a Rural Neighborhood Preservation designation that allows for one home per half-acre.” The disputed area is between Durango Drive in the west to Bermuda Road on the east to Warm Springs Road on the north and St. Rose Parkway to the south.
This means property owners’ cannot apply for a zone change until 2007. Then, they will have the opportunity to show that their “Proposed project will fit in with the protected Rural Neighborhood zoning.” But, because developers were able to find loopholes they found ways to build their tract homes and commercial buildings in our South Valley.
Bruce Woodbury, our county commissioner, stood up for the people “who have invested their whole lives and dreams into their homes.” As for the rest of the County Commissioners? They “Voted unanimously to rezone the nearly 3,500 pieces of property to a Rural Neighborhood Preservation designation.” I, Brad Emens, can appreciate the point of view of those who bought homes out here years ago to escape the city sprawl. I am excited to see what the Las Vegas South Valley will become.

Spencer Crossing
One of the most exciting things about our area is watching the development of huge commercial intersections. One example is the twenty-seven-lane intersection of St. Rose Parkway at Eastern Avenue. Another area that caught my attention was the corner of St. Rose Parkway at Spencer Street; particularly the northwest corner.
On November 3rd, 2005 I met with David Barnes, the superintendent for the restaurant being built there. He told me, “The 6,700 square foot Fireside Inn is a tavern and will be very nice.” He went on to tell me, “That huge pile of rocks…” he gestured to the east, “will be a service station.” Barnes was very informative about what is happening in our area.
When I moved here in the winter of 1997 I remember St. Rose Parkway was a two-lane country road called Lake Mead Drive. These days we are seeing our area become more and more developed. I am excited to see what happens to the intersection of Maryland Parkway at St. Rose Parkway.

Waldorf Chicken Salad
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 large skinned red apple, cored and cut into ½ inch chunks
2 celery stalks sliced into ¼ inch pieces
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 pinches of. salt
1/4 cup walnut pieces
2 oz. crumbled blue cheese, optional
Romaine lettuce leaves

1) Bring 2 inches of water to boil in skillet, add chicken breast, reduce and let simmer 8 to 12 minutes (don’t let water boil or chicken will toughen). Cool and cut into 1 inch chunks.
2) Combine with apple, celery slices, raisins and walnuts. In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and salt. Pour over chicken mixture and toss well to coat. 3) Serve on Romaine lettuce leaves and sprinkle with blue cheese to bring out the flavor of the apples. Serve chilled. Makes 4 servings.

October 2005

Hello, my name is Brad Emens. I am a REALTOR®. I represent Keller Williams Realty Experience. I hope you enjoy my publication, The Las Vegas South-Valley Reader. I welcome your questions.

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.

September 2005

Finally, Plans For an Interchange
Do you ever try to use the Blue Diamond Road exit at I15 during rush hour? If you do, then you know how backed-up the traffic gets because of the tremendous growth in our area. A larger interchange is long overdue. According to a July 2005 article, found in borderonline.com, “The Las Vegas Paving Corporation will be building the $32 million Blue Diamond Road interchange at Interstate 15.” The year and a half project will begin construction this month!! The article goes on to say, “The new six-lane, full diamond interchange will replace the current two-lane bridge. The new, 160-foot-wide, 290-foot long, steel and concrete bridge structure is expected to open in early 2007.” The new overpass will be built just south of the existing one and will some how intersect with Windmill Parkway.

Our Next Fire Station
On Tuesday, August 23, 2005 I had the opportunity to interview our Senior Deputy Fire Chief, Steve Hanson. Hanson, a citizen of Clark County for more than thirty years, recalls a younger, more desolate Las Vegas. “I would say there was less than 100,000 in when I moved here 1962…this was a completely different place,” Hanson said while remembering his younger years as a fire fighter.
With the Las Vegas valley growing at an unprecedented rate I asked Hanson, “What do you think about the huge population boom that the Las Vegas area is experiencing?”
Hanson paused for a moment then said, “It’s a real challenge to provide the services everyone expects.” He went on to say, “The easy part is building them (a fire station)...staffing them, now that’s the hard part.” There are, at a minimum, eighteen people required to staff a fire/rescue station. That is three, six person shifts that are on call twenty-four hours per day.
We can expect our next neighborhood fire department to be built in about another year and a half. Hanson told me, “There are five stations on the books (for the entire valley) and Station 37 is third on the list…and will be built sometime in mid 2007.” Station 37 will be located near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Serene Avenue. I will report more as the process moves along.

Community Meeting Re: Cactus Sand and Gravel
There was a community meeting held on August 25, 2005 regarding Cactus Sand and Gravel, also known as Impact Sand and Gravel. Located at Cactus Avenue and Amigo Street the gravel pit has been in operation since the middle of the last decade and will be mined until summer of 2010. Luis Cervantes, a representative for Impact Sand and Gravel, began the meeting by saying, “As of right now they (Clark County) don’t want us doing anything to their road…we wouldn’t do it to their standard.” The road he is talking about is the stretch of Cactus Avenue between Amigo Street and Maryland Parkway and south of the gravel pit.
Cervantes followed up by saying, “We will do the rock patrol.” This means there will be a crew that will keep the baseball size rocks off the road. Watch out! I will let you know when the next meeting is scheduled. Check out my story in the June 2005 article on my blog to learn more about Cactus Sand and Gravel.

Plans for Hoover Dam Bypass
According to bridgepros.com, “The Hoover Dam Bypass Project is a complex project made up of four miles of roadway with two lanes in each direction, and a 2,000 foot-long bridge (approximately 1,500 feet downstream of the Hoover) over the Colorado River.” The type of bridge being built is composite concrete deck arch bridge and some say the bypass is a “mirage built of concrete.”
An article in the Las Vegas Review Journal said, “That’s because a Boulder City bypass road won’t be ready anywhere near the time the dam bypass bridge opens.” If you know Boulder City then you know what kind of a problem they will soon face. The article went on to say, “While the $240 million dam bypass bridge is on track to be open by late 2008, the $350 million city bypass road has yet to be designed and funded.”
According to bridgepros.com, “The project is to be completed in four distinct phases; the Arizona approach, the Nevada approach, the Colorado River Bridge, and final roadway surfacing.” The entire Hoover Dam Bypass Project is expected to be complete in 2007 at a cost of $234 million. Traveling on the current route from Nevada to Arizona is unsafe and the new bypass will allow for more development of the surrounding area. This will make more jobs and bring more commerce to southern Nevada. I will report more as the project goes on. If you would like to learn more about buying real estate in this up and coming area, call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531.

July 2005

The Real Estate Experience
For the past several months you have been getting a regular update on what is going on in our area. Each time you get The Las Vegas South Valley Reader I am reporting something about our neighborhood that you may not have known. I have invested so much time and energy to prepare and circulate the Las Vegas South Valley Reader. I am your area expert. Keller Williams Realty-Experience is the real estate agency I represent. It is the kind of company that coaches and counsels to create top producing agents. So, call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531, when you, or someone you know, is looking for a promising real estate transaction. A quote from Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Kid Smart Kid (2001), embodies what I am saying. “Sometimes an ounce of perception takes a ton of education to change.” Let me set the standard. Check out my Keller Williams website http://agent.kw.com/136839/





Future Strip Mall
Have you noticed how fast our community is becoming diversified with new houses, new churches, a Wal-Greens, South Coast Casino, and the beginning stages of an “Urban Village?”
One particular project that has caught my attention is The Plaza Retail Center, a future strip mall, next to Rhino Mart Gas Station. The general contractor, Kalb Construction Company, is building this development. Lucas Pat Enterprises LLC bought the 1+/- acre lot from Mighty Mart 735 LLC last August for $750,000. The land is currently zoned commercial, local business, or C-1.
Once I found out what this lot was zoned for I dug deeper. On July 17, that record setting, 116-degree day, I interviewed Bob Montano, superintendent for the project. I asked him, “What companies will be here?”
“I don’t know. I don’t even think they are leased yet,” he said. “This area is growing so fast…it’s so hot!” he exclaimed with a loud exhale as he wiped the gathering beads of sweat from his forehead. I then asked him when the project is supposed to be finished and he said, “My schedule says October, 2005.”
I think this building is similar to the one next to Albertson’s; where one typically finds payday loan centers, smoke shops, dry cleaners, sandwich shops, stationary stores, etc. What a great way to bring jobs to our area. Maybe there will even be a Starbuck’s!!

How to get a stop sign
Recently, I was asked to see what it would take to put up a stop sign for a few of the intersections in ‘Canyons 3.’ More specifically, the intersection at Spruce Bough turning west on to Canaletto and another at Spruce Bough turning east on Atlas Peak.
Herbert Arnold, from the Clark County Traffic Management Division, 455-6100, told me, ”Those particular intersections do not have enough traffic volume, and therefore, do not meet the criteria that call for a stop sign…there would have to be 5,000 cars in an eight hour period.” That’s about one car every five or six seconds. He then said, “We only put them in when they are needed because we don’t want to breed disrespect for the law.”
So, do you think we need a stop sign? What else do you think we need in our area? How about another fire station? Did you know our closest fire station is next to Silverado High School (across from Taco Bell)? Next month I, Brad Emens, will report where the next fire station will be and when to expect it.

Grading of the Land
Kimball Hill Homes is the developer of the land being graded south of ‘Canyons 3,’ southwest of ‘Canyons 4,’ and north of Liberty High School. On July 20, 2005 I interviewed Kelly Thomas, Community Development Manager for Kimball Hill Homes. He told me they plan on building “Capella, a 216, 2,000+ square foot home subdivision... similar to Carnegie Heights” the gated community south of Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson.
“GRRROOOAAR!!!” was the sound the monstrous, earth-moving machine made as it bound across the freshly graded field. Huge plumes of black smoke were belched out of the massive, yellow, water spraying tractor as it saturated the enormous, 55’X105,’ picketed lots in one pass.
On July 7th, 2005 Jason Primas, an engineer with VTN Nevada, told me, “Each ditch represents a (future) road and the blue stakes represent the property lines.” VTN is a full-service engineering, planning and surveying firm for southern Nevada since 1960.

South Point Master Planned Community
“Building up flood control is first stage in development,” Jesse Marta, a construction supervisor from Hydro Arch told me on July 12th, 2005. Hydro Arch is a general engineering company headquartered in Henderson. Hydro Arch was the company hired to put in “under ground flood control” for the 200+/- acre South Pointe master planned community. This is the much-anticipated mixed-use development that will include Urban Village.
An article from the April 13th Las Vegas Review Journal said, “It (Urban Village) will have five neighborhoods with 2,400 condominium homes, brownstones, high-rises, live-work units and flats. One-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans range from 1,000 square feet to 3,000 square feet, with prices from the upper $100,000s to $1 million.” The article goes on to say, “Construction on the village is scheduled to start in June 2005, with the first 464 units expected to be ready for occupancy 18 to 24 months later.” That means we will see some finished buildings by fall 2006.
Did you see the picture on the billboard that was located on the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard at Cactus Avenue? It illustrated the future plan for South Point. The graphic depiction even showed Silverado Ranch Boulevard intersecting with the Interstate 15. These truly are exciting times to live Silverado Ranch.

The information provided in this handout was obtained from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), google.com, and the Clark County Assessor and is believed to be accurate and true. If your home is currently on the market please do not consider this to be a solicitation; this newsletter is merely for your information. If you would like a free comparative market analysis for your home please email me at sgtbrad@kw.com or call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531. I live right around the corner. Thank you.

June 2005

Last month, in the story about the “Evolution of Las Vegas,” I stated, “…The Green Valley Ranch District and The Curve (near Decatur Boulevard at the 215 beltway) are great places for them.” Correction: The Curve is actually located near Durango Drive at the 215 Beltway. Read on to learn more about this new urban center.

The Curve At Durango
Nevada Living reports, “A 47.5-acre development…(The Curve) will be a suburban-village environment …that is combined with urban conveniences for living, working, shopping, dining and entertainment. Pedestrian plazas and an urban park are located within the shopping promenade…that provides a large central area for residents and visitors to enjoy.” With this approach to urbanizing Las Vegas we will soon see that we do not have to depend on our automobiles.
Urbanization is a revolutionary way of bringing more industry and residences to our valley that will certainly generate more commerce. “There will be 12 buildings with 109,653 square feet of retail and restaurant space…and 61,201 square feet of commercial office space… located above the retail stores.” The article goes on to say, “The Curve will feature high-rise living…resort amenities, retail boutiques, restaurants and intermixed office space.” The article also reported, “The Curve began taking reservations in March, and construction…is set to begin in early 2006.”
Another area we can expect high-density development is right down the street. In fact, I have even contacted Urban Village. I am still waiting on more detailed information to be released.

A Detention Basin to Help Control Flooding
On April 26th, 2005 several local homeowners attended the community meeting held at Antigua Condominium’s Clubhouse. “This is the biggest turn out yet,” Luis Cervantes, General Manager of Eldorado Development Company said. The quarterly gathering was held so we could ask the people who had answers to the questions we had about the presence of Impact/ Cactus Sand and Gravel.
“When we started here (10 years ago) the nearest house was a mile and a half away,” Bill Wadley, President of Impact Sand and Gravel said. He also said, “The gravel pit was originally developed to be a detention basin…with sports fields in the bottom.”
During the open forum many voiced their opinion about the condition of the road and the placement of the stop sign. “Sometimes the big trucks don’t even slow down when they come out of the pit,” one concerned citizen exclaimed.
Cervantes replied, “The truck drivers are independent but we will fix the road.” I followed up with him again on June 20. He said, “The potholes are fixed and we are working on the stop sing issue.”
According to an article in the Las Vegas Sun, “The County Commission gave the gravel pit a lease on life…” until summer of 2010. So, until then we should attend the quarterly community meetings to voice our concerns. I will let you know when the next one is scheduled.

Current Plans for Vacant Lots
In the Area?
I was asked to report an update on the future plans for the vacant lots in our neighborhood. According to the Clark County Assessor, most of the unoccupied lots around us are zoned for two homes per acre or rural estates, R-E.
The Canarelli Family, and Impact Sand and Gravel Inc., own the 75 +/- acre gravel pit; more than likely it will become a detention basin/park.
The 1.49 acre lot next to Roberto’s on the northeast corner of Cactus Avenue at Bermuda Road is owned by American Food and Drug Inc. (better known as Save-on Drug and Albertson’s Grocery Store). East of that Milano Residences LLC owns a 2.41-acre lot. These two lots are currently zoned C-2 or General Commercial and are also known as Bermuda Cactus Shopping Center. These two lots together would be a great place for a grocery/drug store.
Terramina LLC, also known as Kimball Hill Homes Nevada Inc., owns the vacant land south of Canyons 3 and 4. This area will be developed into single-family residences and town-homes. There is a five-acre parcel directly east of Liberty High School that will become a park. I will continue to keep you informed as our community develops.

Where will we go form here?
As more and more people learn about Las Vegas’s bustling economy the more people want to make our city their home too. Did you know that in the greater Las Vegas area, the 89123 zip code is amongst the most desired areas to live. Some homes have appreciated twice their original value (and more). An article in the Las Vegas Review Journal said, “For many Las Vegans who sold their homes last year, they probably made more money from the increased value of their homes than they did at their jobs.” I cannot help but feel fortunate because I bought my house in the right city. By writing and publishing the Las Vegas South-Valley Reader, I am also educating myself. I am your area expert. I, Brad Emens 808-3531, welcome your questions.

May 2005

The Evolution of Las Vegas
On May 4th, 2005 I was invited to a presentation given by Richard Lee, Senior President of First American Title Company. His seminar showed the evolution of Las Vegas as many different developers sought to seek individual ends.
Nowadays, the booming real estate market drives developers to build the perfect home or office (residential, commercial, mix use development, etc) for the consumer. In Las Vegas, according to Lee, there are“…five distinctly different buyers.” These buyers are classified by their interest in the: downtown area, the strip, the south strip, urban suburban, or condo conversions. Lee describes each of the five in detail.
The downtowners: they want to rebuild the historic downtown area of Las Vegas. These 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s houses north of Sahara Avenue and west of Eastern Avenue have been bringing top dollar; they are still facing multiple offers as young professionals move closer to their work.
The strip buyers: folks who want nothing more than to own a piece of the Las Vegas strip; many are foreign born with millions of dollars; they seem to be inflating the value of these high-rise condominiums to, a lofty, $600/square-foot.
South strip buyers: mostly locals who want to cash in their equity and buy new, affordable housing. Boca Raton is just kicking off and soon Urban Village will come “on line.”
Urban suburban buyers: those who want to live and work in the same area. The Green Valley Ranch District and The Curve (near Decatur Boulevard at the 215 beltway) are great places for them.
The condo conversion buyer: they want to make an affordable investment in an apartment that has been converted to a condominium? Latigo, on the corner of Eastern Avenue at Silverado Ranch Boulevard, is the nearest example of this; starting in the mid $100’s these condos offer substantial amenities.
Though the real estate market has matured, there are still great opportunities for investment. I am a REALTOR. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in learning more call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531.

Boca Raton
One of the newest and closest construction projects will be the four building, 756 unit, Boca Raton. These luxury condominiums are located near the corner of Serene Avenue at Las Vegas Boulevard. The developer is Palm Beach Resort Construction LLC. They expect that the first phase will be released in May 2006.
The information I received from the opening sales event boasts of several amenities to include: pools, fitness centers, a 10,000 square-foot clubhouse, a business center, concierge services, guarded parking, and even a shuttle to select locations along the strip and McCarran Airport. There are three floor plan styles to choose from; they range in price from $214,000 to $984,000 (prices are subject to change without notice).
Boca Raton is an example of a south strip construction project; buyers who want to cash in some of their equity and buy something new. If you are interested in learning more call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531, or check out their website for yourself at http://bocalasvegas.com/ but let them know I am helping you please.

South Coast Casino Update
According to inbusinesslasvegas.com “The $500 million South Coast, five miles south of Mandalay Bay, is scheduled to open early next year with 662 rooms, a 16-theater movieplex, seven restaurants, an equestrian center, 2,400 slot machines and 150,000 square feet of event space at Las Vegas Boulevard and Silverado Ranch Road.” Also, we can expect another “Station Casino” to open just south of South Coast Casino! I will let you know when I learn more.

Urban Village Update
Urban Village will go “on line” soon. In fact, on May 19th, I spoke to a sales agent, James Markin, from Urban Village. He said, “I am hoping it is today but I will send you an email when it does.” When they offer more information I will let you know.

Focus Property Group Update
Recently, an article from inbusinesslasvegas.com, titled “Focus on growth” stated, “At its Henderson master-planned community, Focus Property Group is working on developing a community that is a throwback to simpler times.”
The article goes onto say, "It's a return to an old-fashioned neighborhood …a traditional neighborhood design …we're utilizing great planning principals of the past, many of them from Europe, and combining that with new construction techniques and technologies." I look forward to seeing what they have planned for the new town center for the south valley.
The article further states, “The Henderson community (near Henderson Executive Airport) will be dense. It is being designed with lots of open space so that it is a pedestrian-friendly community.” This means there are plans are for smaller neighborhoods surrounding community gathering places and public transportation terminals. Just like I saw when I was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany.
Though it may be three or four years before anything is built in Henderson we will soon see the masses flocking to our part of the valley. Imagine that, a place with pedestrian-friendly streets and walkways, a place where your children can safely walk or ride their bikes to school.

When Will Amigo Avenue and Bermuda Road Go Through To St. Rose Parkway?
Recently, I was asked for an update on the future of Amigo Avenue and Bermuda Road. Last November I reported the two streets will connect with St Rose Parkway by next spring. Also, I stated, “There will be an intersection on Amigo Avenue at Erie Avenue.”
Again, I interviewed Kelly Thomas, Senior Project Manager for Kimball Hill Homes, on May 14th for an update. He said, “The plans have not changed.” That means we can expect both roads to go through to St Rose Parkway in about another year.

Any questions? Call me, Brad Emens 702-808-3531.

April 2005

Keller Williams Realty-Experience
We have a new office. The address of our temporary office is 340 East Warm Springs Suite 2B. The owner/broker, Miss Joyce Jonekos, 768-1534, has conducted real estate all over the United States of America. She has been successful and accomplished so much in the last twenty- five years. She will next open a 6,500 square-foot office that will be located on the northeast corner of East Warm Springs at Bermuda Road. Jonekos said, “The new office will surpass any buyers’ and sellers’ expectations of the real estate industry.”
Can I ask you a favor? When you, or someone you know, are in need of real estate service, please give Experience the chance. Let me show you how diligent we are. Let me, Brad Emens, 808-3531, set the standard.

Wayne Newton Calls It Quits?
On Wednesday, April 6th, 2005, an article written in the Las Vegas Review Journal stated, “Wayne Newton's rumored split with the Stardust became fact…”
After five-plus years, he is leaving on April 20th. The article goes on to say, ”When he signed with the Stardust in October 1999, the deal was advertised as the richest contract in Las Vegas history, up to 40 weeks a year for 10 years with the potential of $25 million a year.”
The article further states, “An exit option kicked in after five years.” Newton, who recently turned 63, said in a release, "The time had come to move on to new challenges." He must not have been happy there?
When I heard Elton John was going to have a show on the strip, I thought to myself, “Las Vegas really is the entertainment capital of the world.” Now that Wayne Newton is leaving (I did hear a rumor he was going to Las Vegas Hilton), I wonder who the next star will be to have a show on the strip?

The Strip Migrates South!
As the weeks creep by we notice the dramatic changes going on on South Las Vegas Boulevard. We have seen the huge South Coast Casino go up like an Erecter Set project on steroids, the various time-shares (and believe me, there are many more to come) sprouting up like they are going out of style, and the Family Express food mart/gas station/carwash on the southeast corner of Cactus Avenue at Las Vegas Boulevard.
What will happen next to South Las Vegas Boulevard? This is what I have learned about the, mostly vacant, stretch of land between Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Starr Avenue and between South Las Vegas Boulevard and Interstate 15:
There are several dozen vacant lots owned by a couple of dozen different owners. For the most part the land had been purchased from the Bureau of Land Management over the past several years. I even found a vacant, 2.54-acre, lot between Cactus Avenue and Frias Avenue that had been purchased by John Kamin V in August 1971 for $7,500!
There are six major landowners that maybe of interest to us. They are Coast Hotels and Casino Inc., Eldorado Resort Corp., Urban Village Development LLC, South Valley Investors LLC, Southern Highlands Dev. Corp., and Vista Holdings. These five organizations own at least four-fifths of the land. These will be the major projects that help raise the value of our homes when they are built. Being the area expert I, of course, will report more of what I learn as time goes on.

Urban Village Begins
On April 13, 2005 an article in the Las Vegas Review Journal stated, “Urban Village will cover the 50 acre site on the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard between Cactus Avenue and Silverado Ranch Boulevard... and is part of the 200 acre South Pointe master plan community. Urban Village will be comprised of five distinct affordable luxury communities totaling almost 2,400 residences. These will include lofts, brownstones, flats, live-work and high rise condos.” The article goes on to say, “Construction on the village is scheduled to start in June, with the first 464 units expected to be ready for occupancy 18 to 24 months later.” This puts the first phase release in late spring of 2007. If you are interested in learning more call me, 808-3531.

Cactus Sand and Gravel
In the morning, on March 29th, 2005, I received an email from a curious homeowner. The email said, “I have been reading your newsletter for awhile, and one thing that I was interested to see was if you knew anything about what is going to happen with the big gravel pit on the corner of Cactus and Pyle. When we bought our home three years ago we were told that it was eventually going to be made into a park. Do you know if this is true, or a time-table on that if it is?” I, Brad Emens, learned that a major wash empties into the gravel pit. This 75-acre (+/-) lot is where the Pittman Wash starts. Cactus Sand and Gravel, also known as Impact Sand and Gravel, has been a controversy since October 19, 1999. In fact, an article in the Las Vegas Sun that day announced the site has, “…received a $4,000 penalty for raising dust.” Bruce Woodbury even said in a May 8th, 2002 Las Vegas Sun article, “The idea was to empty the hole and eventually use it as a detention basin to limit flooding down-stream.”
“The Clark County Commission… gave a six-year lease on life to continued digging… despite the warning from the county's legal counsel,” is what another article, dated July 22, 2004 in the Las Vegas Sun said. That would put the end of the mines life in about five and a half years or the summer of 2010.
Today, the presence of the operation seems necessary. I, Brad Emens, understand that; my back yard faces Cactus Avenue. However, if you want my opinion the sooner the big trucks stop hauling the soils away the BETTER!!

Steve Wynn’s Newest Creation
The hotel/resort is due to open on Thursday April 28, 2005. Their phone number is (702) 770-7100. Have you been down to The Strip lately?

Las Vegas Celebrates Its B-Day!
Expect an upcoming events notice, soon.

Interested in learning more?
Call Brad Emens, 808-3531.

March 2005

Who Turned Off The Lights?
I, Brad Emens, sought to find out why the street lamps (the ones that light our neighborhood and roads) were turned off. After making several phone calls I never got a solid answer why the lights on Bermuda Road, Spruce Bough Street, Tawny Buck Court, Serendipity Court, Rising Smoke Court, Tall Timber Street, Bacchus Court, and Barnard Bee Court were not on at night.
The exact date the lights went off is uncertain but a concerned citizen notified me on March 11, 2005. I immediately called Carousel Services, your Home Owners Association, and their phone number is 739-9992. I spoke with Patty and she was unsure why the lights were not working. I also called the Clark County Development Services and their phone number is 455-4610. I spoke to Deb and she was also unsure why the lights were turned off. She told me to call the off site inspector, Art Alvarez, at 455-4619. Please call these places and let’s get the lights turned back on.

The South Coast Casino
What do you think of the newest addition to our local skyline? Earlier this month I interviewed Paul Gillett who is the chief supervisor on site for J.A. Tiberti Construction; the construction company that is building The South Coast Casino. He told me that when finished, The South Coast Casino will be a sky scraping “twenty-five floors.”
I also met with the Vice President of Construction for Coast Casinos, Ron Frye. He told me, “There are 700 to 1000 people working on this site at any given time.”
The South Coast Casino should be finished by the end of this year. Frye also told me, “The long awaited Silverado Ranch Boulevard Interchange with I15 should be finished by May of 2006.” These truly are exciting times to be living in Southern Las Vegas.

Yucca Mountain Documents May Have Been Falsified!?!
Josef Hebert, an Associated Press writer, stated on March 16th that, “Government employees may have falsified documents related to the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project in Nevada.” He goes on to say, “The Energy Department revealed a development that could jeopardize the project's ability to get a federal permit. Hebert continues with, “The department said that during preparation for a license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission a number of e-mails were discovered, dating back to 1998 and 2000, in which an employee of the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that he had fabricated documentation of his work.”
What frightens me, Brad Emens, is what the falsified documents proved.
On March 17, 2005, Erica Werner, from Capitol Hill Blue, stated in her article, “The documents involved computer modeling for water infiltration and climate at Yucca Mountain…Nevada officials say water movement is critical in determining the possible spread of radiation from the proposed waste repository.” Were the results of the studies that involved how water passes through the soil into our water supply not legitimate?
Energy Secretary Bodman said he was “greatly disturbed that work involving the project may have been falsified.” Maybe Nevada is not the perfect dumping ground for America’s nuclear waste? If Yucca Mountain is approved, shipments of nuclear waste will be coming down I15 less than five miles away from our homes.

Did you know?
Fact 1: According to worldatlas.com, “Considered the most mountainous U.S. state, Nevada has more than 150 individual mountain ranges. Major ones include the Monitor, Ruby, Santa Rosa, Schell Creek, Snake and Toiyabe.”
Fact 2: According to 50states.com, ”In March 1931 Governor Fred Balzar signed into law the bill legalizing gambling in this state.”

Interested in moving up or downsizing?
Call Brad Emens
702-808-3531

February 2005

Silverado Ranch Area Supermarket Price Analysis.
On February 13th I, Brad Emens, conducted a price comparison analysis. My analysis concluded Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market was almost $8 less expensive than even Food 4 Less!
Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market is a traditional grocery store that is non-union. According to a January 27th article in the Las Vegas Sun, “Michael Gittings, secretary-treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 711, said the union does not know when it will stop picketing the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market stores.”
Our Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, located at the Silverado Ranch Shopping Plaza across from 7-11 gas station, is one of four Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets that opened in the Las Vegas Valley late last month. A fifth Neighborhood Market is under construction at Hollywood and Lake Mead Boulevard.
In 1962, Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He was a true capitalist that created ways to cut corners and therefore pass modest savings on to his customers. I do admit though, I still shop at Smith’s occasionally.
Another Telltale Sign…
Have you noticed all of the churches going up in our community? The four I have noticed are; Oasis Church on the northeast corner of Cactus Avenue at Gillespie Street (currently under construction), Harvest Church on the southwest corner of Erie Avenue at Bermuda Road, Haven Later Day Saints Meeting House on the east side of Bermuda Road and south of Pyle Avenue (also under construction), and Beautiful Savior Church on the west side of Bermuda Road north of Cactus Avenue.
Seeing our community being interspersed with churches is yet another telltale sign of our neighborhood growing in diversity. These places of worship will benefit the 77,622 people that now live in the 89123 zip code.

Brighton Village
Have you noticed the housing subdivisions being built around us? One that recently caught my eye is located on Maryland Parkway at Cactus Avenue. Warmington Homes Nevada is the developer and Brighton Village is the name of this new development. The homes are detached, single-family dwellings ranging in price and size (1,194 square feet for $208,990 to 1,432 square feet for $238,990*). One of their disclosures states, “Prices are subject to change prior to any sales releases.”

January 2005

New Urbanism Proposal
Have you ever heard the term “New Urbanism?” While researching for this month’s South Valley Reader I learned that New Urbanism is actually old urbanism.
After WWII, when American men and women returned to their normal lives, the family car influenced how they lived. The car allowed people to live a significant distance from were they worked. Urbanism nowadays, or the way we build our neighborhoods and commercial areas, has led to the dependence on our cars. Look, do we not depend on our cars to go to the market, the movies, and even the gym?
Part of our valley’s future plan is to go back to pre-war urbanism. You can expect a new town center, friendly to all, just down the road. According to a November 4, 2004 article in OneLasVegas.com, “Focus Property Group, and a consortium of seven homebuilders, completed the purchase of the 1,940 acres of land located adjacent to the Anthem community” and Henderson Executive Airport. The seven homebuilders include; KB Homes, Toll Brothers, Woodside Homes, Kimball Hill Homes, Pardee Homes, Meritage Homes, and Beazer Homes.
Focus Property Group is working with the City of Henderson to introduce New Urbanism to the Las Vegas valley. This New Urbanism concept will bring together a pedestrian oriented infrastructure, connectivity between residential, commercial, and public, open space, and an increase in efficiency when it comes to the use of water and undeveloped areas. The article said, “New Urbanism addresses two of the most critical issues facing our community today; affordability and water use.”
The article goes on to say; we will not be seeing homes or businesses opening any time soon. “Focus Property Group estimates that the builders will be ready to open their first model homes in the new community in the fourth quarter of 2006.” Before we see any buildings go up we will see the sewer and streets go in.

New Interchange For Interstate 15 at Blue Diamond Road
Have you ever tried to use the Blue Diamond Road exit at I15 during rush hour? If you have, then you know a larger interchange is long overdue. According to the article titled, “Blue Diamond Interchange moves forward” in Business Press last month, written by Tony Illia, “The long awaited new Blue Diamond Road Interchange at I15 will begin construction in early 2005.” Illia goes on to say, “The $26 million, one and a half year project…will be six lanes wide.” It is only two lanes wide at this time. This is yet another sign of our area developing.

Silverado Ranch Boulevard
I, Brad Emens, personally look forward to the construction on Silverado Ranch Boulevard to be over. On January 14, 2005 I questioned “Henry” from Southern Nevada Paving. I asked him, “How much longer until this stretch of road will be finished?”
“Give us at least three more months,” he said confidently.
“So,” I said, “From Eastern Avenue to Las Vegas Boulevard we will be able to drive fifty-five miles per hour,” with a laugh.
He chuckled and said, “Shoot, you could do sixty-five…if you don’t get caught!” The current speed limit on Silverado Ranch Boulevard is 35 MPH. Drive carefully, please.
I really look forward to seeing what the completion of Silverado Ranch Boulevard brings to our community. With easier access and less congestion we will see Silverado Ranch Boulevard grow into an active and bustling part of our city.

Silverado Ranch Boulevard Junction With Interstate 15
According to Omar Sofradzija, from the Las Vegas Review Journal, we can expect work to begin on our freeway access “…in the next few months…” The interchange will link Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Gomer Road (what Silverado Ranch Boulevard turns into west of I15). Work on this project is expected to take about one year. The article states, “Silverado Ranch Boulevard Interchange is estimated to be completed by the end of next December.” As the south valley becomes established one can expect other freeway interchanges at various other locations.

Future Roads In Our Area
According to the City of Henderson’s Master Streets and Highways Plan we can expect not only an interchange for Silverado Ranch Boulevard but also one for Cactus Avenue and another at Starr Road. These improvements should alleviate the congestion on South Eastern and South Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Master Streets and Highways Plan shows an entire network of roads, streets, and parkways south of St. Rose Parkway and east of I15. The plan shows Maryland Parkway will intersect with South Las Vegas Boulevard…someday. These are exciting times to live in Las Vegas and especially the south valley.

Happy Birthday Las Vegas!
On May 15, 2005, Las Vegas will celebrate its 100th Birthday! This historic occasion has something to offer everyone. The Centennial Celebration Committee has promised to commemorate our 100th Birthday as only Las Vegas can! As special events come up I, Brad Emens, will let you know. The oficial website is www.lasvegas2005.org/

December 2004

Where is Las Vegas Going?
Las Vegas has been growing at an astonishing rate. The Las Vegas area’s population grew from 852,646 people in 1990 to approximately 1.8 million people in 2004. This boom has caused real estate prices to skyrocket, a negotiation with Arizona for our future water supply, and the advent of skyscrapers. Just sit back and watch Las Vegas develop into an urban metropolis.
All of our city officials will agree where Las Vegas is going. “Las Vegas is going up!” Our valley has begun to both Manhattanize and urbanize. According to Webster, the 2002 edition, Manhattanize means to alter the architectural appearance of a city by construction of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. To urbanize an area means to add streets, buildings and businesses for everyday living. For example, look downtown…

Streamline Tower
Las Vegas already has tall buildings but, for the most part, they are either casinos or hotels. These palatial structures do generate great commerce for our city but do very little to add to our culture. Monday morning, November 29, I attended the ground- breaking ceremony for Streamline Tower on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard at Ogden Street. This high-rise condominium project will be the newest addition to our downtown’s skyline. Mayor Oscar Goodman has dubbed it, “The Jewel of Downtown.” That day, Goodman said, “We are at the beginning of the forefront of this rebirth of Downtown Las Vegas…The Downtown Renaissance…be part of it.”
Pierce Goodwin Alexander and Linville, Inc (PGAL) designed this feature that is being added to our city’s center. This towering, twenty-two story building (El Cortez is 15 stories) will have 251 units with thirteen floor plans to choose from. They range in size from one bedroom, one bathroom up to three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms.
At the ceremony they said, ”First come, first serve.” The price list supposedly will be released at the end of December 2004. They require a twenty thousand dollar earnest money deposit with a ten percent down when the price list is released. Streamline Tower’s sales team said, “Prices will be determined when you go under contract…the prices will be determined by what market conditions are like at that time.”
Dr. Denise Waltley, a renowned inter-national businessman and author, was a speaker at the ceremony. He feels Las Vegas is like San Diego. He said, “Las Vegas, like San Diego has a balanced mixture of arts, entertainment, commercial, education, and medical.
In fact, our city’s plan is to expand our economy by bringing new forms of commerce. Waltley went on to say, “The reason why San Diego has done so well is because, like Las Vegas, they have had their plan laid out from the beginning…and in order for Las Vegas to evolve, a constant redevelopment of our urban center (downtown) must take place.” He also stated, “What you are seeing know in Las Vegas is an urban renewal.”
Soon, you will see more and more skyscrapers appearing. With them, you will watch out economy evolve and develop.

Other Planned Skyscrapers
When you look at the older, great metropolitan areas of the world you will notice one distinct characteristic. They all have colossal structures. As these next few years quickly go by, a diversification of our economy will take place. This will continue to bring people by the droves to our city and as a result you will see “skyscrapers” popping up in our valley.
Some high-rise residential structures you may soon expect will be the massive, 251 unit Streamline Tower, another Turnberry Place Tower, the distinctive Panorama Tower, an art deco Metropolis, Vegas Grand with its Mediterranean style décor, and the two, twenty-story, Park Towers next to the Hughes Center. These are just a few of the projects planned for Las Vegas.
Prehistoric Southern Nevada was a virtual marsh of abundant water and vegetation. Arrival of the railroad on May 15, 1905 led to the dawning of Las Vegas. After World War II our city saw a huge construction boom. During the past decade and a half our city’s construction and population has easily doubled. As the trend continues, you will be witness to the eruption of skyscrapers and high-rise condominiums. Call me, 808-3531, if you are interested in learning more about high-rise living.

When are new schools built?
Did you know the Clark County School District covers 7,910 square miles? Rick Baldwin, a Demographic Specialist for the Clark County School District reported that, “It is the fifth largest school district in the United States…and has 280,834 students.” Do to such a huge student population the Board of School Trustees was forced to come up with a new plan.
On June 14, 1994, the seven-elected Board of School Trustees established the Attendance Zone Advisory Commission (AZAC). This newly formed commission’s job is to advise the Board of School Trustees on issues concerning schools and zoning. According to Baldwin, “Your district (Silvestri Middle School area) can expect the Del Webb Middle School (near Anthem) to open in August, 2005.” This new middle school is not closer than Silvestri Middle School but it will affect our area. The Del Webb Middle School is just one of eleven new schools being built next year.

Next Month’s Issue…”New Urbanism”
Next month I will discuss the “New Urbanism” planned for our area…you know, the patch of raw desert between Henderson Executive Airport and Interstate 15. Wait till you hear what is planned for this expanse.

November 2004

Exotic Animal Shelter a Mile Away!
From kittens to Kodiak Bears, yes, can you believe Betty Honn's Animal Adoptions rescues retired Las Vegas show animals like lions, tigers, and even a Kodiak Bear? For more than 30 years, Betty Honn's Animal Adoptions has provided a refuge for thousands of animals. This was where I fell in love with and adopted my new puppy, a white with little blach spots, six months old, female, hairless Chinese Crested.
In 1968, Betty Honn founded Southern Nevada's first “No-kill, Non-profit Animal Sanctuary.” Betty’s mission is to save the lives of unwanted, abused, and neglected pets. The shelter also helps with exotic animals. Today, her daughter, Teresa Johns, continues her mother’s struggle and is committed to fulfilling Betty 's vision; “We are here for the animals.” Betty, her family, and her staff have therefore saved the lives of literally thousands of animals before she died in 1997.
Betty Honn’s Animal Adoptions is a non-profit animal sanctuary/adoption facility that receives no funding from the city, state, or federal government. Andrea, the adoption coordinator who introduced me to my new pet, told me, “All donations are tax deductible and the fee charged for adoption goes right back to the animals.” Andrea went on to say, “We know the history of every animal and use that knowledge to find the best home for them.” Mary, another member of the staff told me, “Our vet bills are never ending because of the number of animals we save.” This organization is in desperate need of dry cat food, kitten chow, canned cat food, cat litter and bedding. If you are concerned you may send your donation to: Animal Adoptions, Ltd. P.O. Box 90640 Henderson, Nevada 89009. The shelter is open seven days a week from 10:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. and their phone number is (702) 361-2484. If you would like more information you can email them at: www.animaladoptionsltd.org/

This small hill of dirt will be the intersection
of Amigo Avenue at Erie Avenue.
Amigo Avenue and Bermuda Road will both intersect with…
Correction: The October issue of “The South Valley Reader” reported that, “Amigo Avenue Will Never Go Through To St. Rose Parkway.” Further research, and an interview with a more reputable source proved otherwise. On November 10th, Kelly Thomas, Senior Project Manager for Kimball Hill Homes stated, “Amigo Avenue will go through to St. Rose Parkway someday.” He then told me, “…There will be an intersection at Amigo Avenue and Erie Avenue...on the edge of our development.” In fact, Erie Avenue will pass through the northern section of the Kimball Hill Homes project. This will create a new subdivision of 55 X 110 foot lots…similar to Carnegie, the gated community south of Horizon Ridge in Henderson.
During the interview, Kelly Thomas of Kimball Hill Homes also shared a projection map of “Section 34: Land Use and Transportation Plan” dated April 24, 2003. This master plan illustrates how Amigo Avenue will go through to St. Rose Parkway. Kimball Hill Homes also plans on building a five-acre park east of Liberty High School between their two planned residential housing developments. The southern most of the two subdivisions will be made up of townhomes similar to Inspiration At Green Valley Ranch (the townhomes directly south of Green Valley Ranch Station). These will have 35 X 79 foot lots. Finally, Kelly reported, “The project will begin in nine months and about six months past that our first phase will be released.” So, you can expect Amigo Avenue and Bermuda Road to both intersect with St. Rose Parkway by spring of 2006.

Latigo Condominium Conversion
According to an article in the October 24 issue of the Review Journal, Sunvest Communities, a Florida-based condominium developer, has entered the Las Vegas market by purchasing two apartment properties with plans to convert the apartments into condominiums. Sunvest bought the 400-unit Latigo apartments for $36 million and the 360-unit Southwest Trails apartments, near the Strip, for $28 million.
Latigo is a private, gated apartment complex on East Silverado Ranch Boulevard across from Dan’s Fan City. Their clubhouse is undergoing renovation and will have a media/party room with a plasma-screen television. The community will also have a library, billiard room, business center and Internet café. Latigo Condominiums are available for sale in October starting in the low $100,000s, with Southwest Trails to come on line later this year. Sounds like an affordable way to own ones own residence and even acquire an investment opportunity.

Another Wal-Mart…Even Closer!
On November 4, 2004 I, Brad Emens, questioned a surveyor who was diligently working on the northeast corner of Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Bermuda Road. You know, the empty lot north of 7-11 on Silverado Ranch Boulevard? I asked him what he thought they were going to build here and he told me, “A Wal-Mart.”
I thought to myself, “Another Wal-Mart…I wonder if it will have a Starbucks too?” So, I continued my research and learned Wal-Mart Stores Inc., indeed purchased this 10.41-acre lot in November 2002. They paid $4,211,826 for it.
All of the improvements (Silverado Ranch Interchange at I-15, traffic congestion relief, etc.) are for one ultimate function…our community is developing and the infrastructure needs to be able to handle the population growth.
Silverado Ranch is becoming more and more popular as it matures. I enjoy reporting to you what is happening right in front of our eyes. My goal, again, is to keep you informed about our southern community as we grow.

You want to know more?Call Brad Emens at 702-808-3531

“ What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” ~Erma Bombeck, No One Diets on Thanksgiving

October 2004

89123-ZIP code
According to the 2000 census, the 89123 ZIP code had 19,556 housing units with a land area of 18.4 sq. mi.
Population (2000): 46,877Median age: 34.1 years oldAverage household size: 2.64 peopleMedian household income (1999): $57,630

Number of houses built in 89123 ZIP code:
· 1999 to March 2000: 4959
· 1995 to 1998: 8466
· 1990 to 1994: 3075
· 1980 to 1989: 1606
· 1970 to 1979: 856
· 1960 to 1969: 377
· 1950 to 1959: 115
· 1940 to 1949: 32
· 1939 or earlier: 0

Don't forget that the 2000 census data is already 4 years old. With a population as explosive as Las Vegas, changes have occurred that are not yet reflected in the official statistics. On June 30, 2004 the Las Vegas Review Journal wrote, “The hottest-selling area in Las Vegas Valley's sizzling housing market is ZIP code 89123,”primarily the Silverado Ranch community in and around Henderson.

Cactus and Bermuda’s Future…
On September 29, there was a chain-link fence put up around the southeast corner lot of Cactus and Bermuda. I, Brad Emens, interviewed the men from Clark County Fencing and asked, “Why are you putting the fence up?”
They said, “The Health Department ordered a six-foot, chain-link fence be put up to keep people from dumping on it and kids from playing on it.”
I called the company that is advertising for the southeast corner lot at Bermuda and Cactus. Tony Taverite, an agent for Professional Land Corporation of Laguna Hills, California, said, “It is zoned commercial and for sale at $12 million.” The last sale price for this still vacant, 10.0-acre, lot was $3 million in October of 2000.
The northeast corner (next to Roberto’s) is 1.49 acres. It will be called the Bermuda/Cactus shopping center. This vacant lot belongs to The American Food & Drug INC. They paid $1,307,250 in September of 2002. They will build a shopping center with a drug store.
LACONIC Limited Partnership owns the northwest corner lot, 2.50 acres (across Bermuda from Roberto’s). Its last sale date was January 1995 with a sale price of $200,000. It is zoned as Rural Estates Residential (2 residential units per acre).
The Costello Living Trust owns the southwest corner lot. These 2.50 acres are also zoned as Rural Estates Residential (2 residential units per acre). This lot sold for $28,000 in June of 1989.

Houses sold in Canyons 3
The American West development of the Canyons 3 subdivision started back in the early part of the century. Some of the first homes released were sold for less than $200,000. Since then, the 320 homes in this subdivision have become very desirable.
In fact, the average sales price for the last ten houses sold in the Canyons 3 subdivision was about $471,255. That turns out to be $147.48 per square foot. Do the math…for example a Plan V, with 3,272 square feet, could be estimated to be worth at least $482,554.56 (3,272 square feet X $147.48 per square foot). This calculation does not include improvements or upgrades. Good news!

When will Amigo go through to St. Rose Parkway?
According to Kimball Hill Homes Nevada INC., Amigo Avenue will never go through to St. Rose Parkway. Kimball Hill Homes Nevada INC. is the owner of the parcel where Amigo Avenue dead-ends (the area north of Liberty High School and south of the Canyons 3 subdivision). This 30.0-acre parcel is going to be developed into 1600-2500 square-foot townhomes and 1800-2500 square-foot single-family residential homes.
Kimball Hill Homes Nevada INC. purchased this vacant lot from the United States government for $1,372,140 in May of 2004.
I called the Kimball Hill Homes Nevada INC. office located in Henderson and asked if they knew when construction would begin. The office told me, “In the next few years.” Next, they told me, “The development will be shaped like a horseshoe around the high school.” I, Brad Emens, will find out when Bermuda will be finished and report my findings next month.

The “New Downtown”
Recently, I watched a program on KCLV, channel 2, which stated, “Downtown is the place to be.” Sherry Singer hosts the program “City Scene.” Singer interviewed the Las Vegas city manager, Douglas A. Selby. The topic was the future of Las Vegas. They discussed the development of an “urban village” on the sixty-one acre Union Park (the old train yard west of Downtown). Selby went on to say, “This new urbanization is where people can live, work, and recreate all in the same vicinity.” The improvement is a “high density vertical development” that will have the “convenience of life.” Level one of these new buildings will be dedicated to retail while the upper levels will be designated as residential living. Also included in the development will be an academic medical facility and a performing arts center. Sounds like it will be an interesting addition to the valley’s economy. This is near the future site of the largest furniture store in the United States of America with ten stories and 1.3 million square feet located southeast of the spaghetti bowl.

Ready or not, Election 2004 is right around the corner.
For additional information on voting, call 455-VOTE or visit www.co.clark.nv.us/election/home.asp You want to know more?Call Brad Emens at 808-3531

September 2004

Prehistoric times in Southern Nevada
Prehistoric Southern Nevada was a virtual marsh of abundant water and vegetation. As eons passed, the marsh receded. Rivers disappeared beneath the surface and the once teeming wetlands evolved into a parched, arid landscape that supported only the hardiest of plants and animals. The water is now trapped in a complicated network of geological formations in the Las Vegas Valley. Sporadically water surfaces to nourish plants. This creates an oasis in the desert while at the same time the life giving water flows to the Colorado River. In 1993, construction workers discovered the remains of a Columbian mammoth that roamed the area during prehistoric times. Paleontologists estimate the bones to be 8,000 to 15,000 years old.

Who Was Here First?
Hidden for centuries from all but Native Americans, the Las Vegas Valley oasis was protected from discovery by the surrounding harsh and unforgiving Mojave Desert.

Who is Rafael Rivera?
In 1830, the exact date is unknown, Rafael Rivera became the first known European to set foot inside the “oasis-like” Las Vegas Valley. Las Vegas means "the meadows" in Spanish. Las Vegas was founded as a city on May 15, 1905 when 110 acres of land was auctioned off. This area is situated between Stewart Avenue on the north and Garces Avenue to the south with Main Street to the west, and 5th Street (Las Vegas Boulevard) to the east. Las Vegas was founded May 15, 1905, and incorporated on March 16, 1911. This was the start of Las Vegas as a metropolitan area. The city now covers 84.272 square miles.

McCarran International Airport Facts
McCarran is ranked 8th busiest in the world by the Airports Council in Washington, D.C.-It serves 51 air carriers including: -24 scheduled airlines -2 helicopter services -8 commuter airlines -17 charter airlines-On Average 980 flights a day come through McCarran International Airport!!-It is 1 mile (1.6 km.) from the Strip and five miles (3 km) from Downtown.-There are direct flights to 58 U.S. cities. -One European city.-It has a 1.3 million square-foot terminal. -The airport covers 2,820 acres. -5,000 cars per day use parking facilities.-There is a tram to some terminals.-Moving pedestrian walkways.-International signage. About Clark County.

IT IS A FACT…
-Between 4,000 and 6,000 people move into Clark County monthly.-In 1999, 33.8 million people visited Las Vegas while in 2000 the number rose to 35.8 million; more than 3.8 million of those were convention delegates.
-In 2000 there were 124,270 hotel/motel rooms available.
-Clark County was created on Feb. 5, 1908.
(Its name honors William A. Clark, the U.S. senator from Montana who built the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad.
-The county covers 7,881 square miles, which is comparable to the area of Massachusetts.

Nevada
-Nevada means "snowcapped" in Spanish.
-It was admitted to the union in 1864.
-Nevada’s nickname is the "Battle Born State."
-We are the seventh largest state in terms of square miles, but rank 38th in population.

South Coast Casino
Recently construction has started on two new casinos serving Las Vegas residents. Coast Casinos broke ground on the South Coast Casino. South Coast Casino is located on Las Vegas Boulevard about 10 minutes south of Mandalay Bay. South Coast Station will feature a 4,000-seat equestrian events center and is scheduled to open in Fall 2005. The other property mentioned is the Red Rock Station Casino. Both are operated by Station Casinos, the “locals” category killer in Las Vegas. Red Rock Station is part of a master planned/mixed-use development, which is located off the I-215 beltway at Charleston. Red Rock Station is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.

Silverado Ranch gets Freeway access in 200?
Clark County plans to improve access to Interstate 15 with an interchange at Silverado Ranch Boulevard. Officials are gauging public opinion to the project. Estimated cost?…12 million dollars. Construction could begin within three years. A study conducted several years ago by the Nevada Department of Transportation recommended construction of a few freeway interchanges. Those could be at Silverado Ranch Boulevard, Cactus Avenue, and Starr Avenue.