Former Mayor Oscar Goodman honored with bronze bust in Symphony Park

By Dave Toplikar

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, customarily flanked by two statuesque showgirls, seemed a bit worried by another type of feathered creature Monday afternoon.

As Goodman stood next to the veiled new bronze bust bearing his likeness in Symphony Park, he recalled that he had backed down on a controversial effort to "abate pigeons" in the city.

“Now that the bust is going to be here, I’m sorry I didn’t go forward,” Goodman said, joking at the dedication Monday afternoon of the Oscar B. Goodman Tribute Plaza.

That crack got him some laughs from the 100 or so people who attended the ceremony, an effort to honor Goodman for his redevelopment efforts in the city’s downtown during his 12 years in office.

"Our tribute to the (former) mayor is a very serious tribute," said Dan Van Epp, executive vice president for Newland Communities, the lead developer at Symphony Park.

Epp said about 13 years ago, after Goodman was first elected, he wanted to do something really special with the downtown area.

"He had a vision, a vision that was very, very powerful for him. And it was his vision alone — his vision that he stuck with, year in and year out," Epp said. "It's that vision that got us here."

Major projects that were either envisioned by Goodman or came about during his three terms in office include Symphony Park, which is now the home of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Children's Discovery Museum.

His legacy also included the World Market Center, Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall North, the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum, a new Las Vegas City Hall, the renovation of the Historic Fifth Street School, Molasky Corporate Center, Zappos.com's planned new corporate headquarters and dozens of restaurants, bars and art galleries.

"The results are just like Oscar Goodman: larger than life," Epp said.

Epp said the Oscar B. Goodman Tribute Plaza, located just northeast of the Smith Center, was funded through private donations.

The plaza has trees, a place to sit, a tribute wall that lists many of Goodman's accomplishments in office and the bronze bust by sculptor Benjamin Victor.

Victor told the gathering that as he was creating the bust, he was nervous about meeting Goodman.

"He just made me feel so at home, even as I was putting washable marker dots on his face and measuring meticulously to get it just perfect," Victor said. "The trick is, and I hope I captured it with this piece, is to capture not only the likeness of an individual, but to capture their spirit."

Goodman, who was called up to do the official unveiling, joked, "I wish I was humble because I would be humbled by this. I'm trying. Perhaps when it is unveiled, the humility will take shape. ... Nah."

Goodman thanked his wife, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, for supporting him during his time in office and helping him stand up to "the naysayers."

"To have her there and say, 'What you're doing I believe in. I believe in your vision. I know that you're right; don't listen to these people,' and then have her pour you a martini, you know that it's the greatest marriage in the history of the world," he said.

He said they will celebrate their 50th anniversary on June 6.

The city acquired the 61-acre Symphony Park site, a former "brownfield" railroad yard for Union Pacific Railways, through a land swap, he said.

"This location is the future of everything that's good. It's the epicenter for all the wonderful culture, academic medicine, sports and all the wonderful things that will take place in this Symphony Park for years to come," he said.

The former mayor said he knew the efforts he and the Las Vegas City Council made to bring the park into fruition was the right thing for the city.

"I've never listened to the naysayers," he said. "I've always listened to my heart and let my heart lead the way."

Goodman said that without the support of the Las Vegas City Council, the Symphony Park site and many other redevelopment projects would have never begun and downtown would have continued its decay.

"That's why it takes elected officials to have some guts," he said. "The bottom line is you have to have a little courage. I don't know why people run for office who want to say no. You should say yes, you want to accomplish and you can accomplish."

After the event, Goodman told reporters the next big project he envisions at the park is a sports arena to lure an NBA franchise to Las Vegas.

"The arena will go right at the end of the property down there," he said, pointing to the north. "I know my wife is working diligently to accomplish that."

He also said he had joked about not being humble about the honor, "but I am overwhelmed by it."

"The funny part about it is I don't have to die now because at the dedication of the city hall, they were saying such nice things about me. That was my eulogy," he said. "And this is my tombstone. So I can live forever now."