City of Las Vegas to Also
Receive Portion of 80 Acre Site
The U.S.
House of Representatives today (March 4, 2008) approved legislation authored by
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) that transfers federal land in southern
Nevada to the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) and the City of Las Vegas. The
bill passed on a vote of 377 to 0.
“This
legislation will help expand world-class cancer research facilities in the Las
Vegas Valley by providing land for an additional campus of the Nevada Cancer
Institute. The bill also transfers 20 acres to the City of Las Vegas to be
developed in a way that benefits our community and enhances NVCI’s life
preserving mission,” said Berkley. “In addition, my legislation directs that
revenue from the development of this parcel be used to pay for more parks and
trails in the Las Vegas Valley and help to preserve Nevada treasures like Red
Rock Canyon and Lake Tahoe.”
The
Berkley bill transfers ownership of 24 acres from BLM to the NVCI for use as a
new campus. The City of Las Vegas will receive ownership of an adjoining 20
acres of property which will be used for the development of related commercial
projects. The remaining 36 acres of the 80 acre parcel will include a cancer
survivors’ park, a flood control project, and a water pumping facility. All
proceeds from land sales and development would go to the special account set up
under the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act. The parcel is located at
the intersection of Alta Drive and Hualapai.
Las
Vegas City Councilman Steve Wolfson, who represents Ward 2 where the land is
located, supports the Berkley legislation and praised the bill’s passage by the
House.
“I'm
very pleased to see the continuation of this public private partnership, and I
couldn't be prouder that the Nevada Cancer Institute calls Ward 2 in the City of
Las Vegas home,” Councilman Wolfson said. "This land will help the Cancer
Institute continue to be a national leader when it comes to life-saving
treatment and research of this disease,” Wolfson said.
For more
information on the Nevada Cancer Institute visit: www.nevadacancerinstitute.org.
