Veterans home land exchange OK'd

While appraisals aren't complete, the state intends to exchange the 12-acre property in Boulder City, formerly the Southern Nevada Children's Home, for 40 acres of undeveloped city property for use as the veterans home site.

Pamela Wilcox, administrator of the state Lands Division, said assurances are in place so the exchange will not cost the state any money, other than the appraisals and other transaction costs.

The board, made up of Gov. Bob Miller, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and Secretary of State Dean Heller, unanimously approved the exchange on Thursday.

The proposed land swap now goes to the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee, which meets next month.

State officials want the 40 acres in their possession by Sept. 30, the federal deadline for an application for funding for a veterans' home to be complete for the current federal budget cycle. Nevada is the top priority for $12.6 million in federal matching funds to build its first nursing home for veterans, but only if most of the planning for the project is finished by the deadline.

The Legislature last year obligated $6.8 million as the state's share to build the 180-bed home, but construction has been delayed because of site selection problems.

Boulder City officials offered the 40-acre parcel just north of U.S. Highway 93 to the state, and the proposal was accepted by lawmakers in June. In exchange, city officials wanted the 12 acres returned to them for their use. The state Commission for Veterans Affairs hopes to break ground in December.

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