Public hearing replaces lawsuit in couple's fight over sports park

The lawsuit filed by a Las Vegas couple over a planned skating and ballpark complex next to their Summerlin home has fizzled in a settlement that will shift the squabble to a July 23 public hearing.

Leon and Faye Steinberg will get the chance to voice their concerns over the plans for development of the 18-acre Las Vegas Sportspark near Rampart Boulevard and Vegas Drive at the hearing but the complex seems destined for completion.

Deputy City Attorney John Redlein said he anticipates the only issue at the upcoming hearing will be the design of the buildings and the landscaping -- not a revisit of the controversial deal that spawned the sports park.

The couple, miffed by what they contend was a sweetheart lease deal for the complex, sought an injunction from District Judge Jack Lehman to prevent Las Vegas Sportspark Ltd. from developing the site.

In fact, questions raised in the lawsuit about the way the city awarded the contract were not mentioned in Monday's settlement.

According to the legal action, the City Council solicited the deal and awarded the contract without providing the legally required notice of a public hearing that the issue would be on the July 14, 1997, council agenda.

In addition, the city failed to offer the development opportunity to other businesses through the bidding process required when public land is involved or when the contract is worth more than $25,000, the lawsuit alleged.

"The city of Las Vegas privately and exclusively solicited and negotiated with Las Vegas Sportspark" for the 50-year lease, the lawsuit stated.

The couple's attorney, former City Councilman Matthew Callister, indicated when he read the settlement that the Steinbergs were satisfied with the upcoming opportunity to voice their concerns at the hearing described as a "major review" of the plan.

The lawsuit contended the development would have a negative impact on the surrounding properties, including the Steinbergs' home that had been purchased in 1993.

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