Building projects list cut back

The board agreed to a $148 million, state-financed building program, to be submitted to the incoming governor who in turn will produce a final version for the 1999 Legislature.

Richard Jarvis, chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada, said he was disappointed at the loss of some major projects and he'll appeal to the governor to reinstate some of the building money.

State agencies had asked for $635 million and the PWB staff cut that to $181 million.

But PWB Chairman Perry Comeaux, who also is the state budget director, said the plan should be slashed even more because there won't be much cash available and the state won't be able to issue a lot of bonds before it reaches its bond debt limit.

Tax revenues have been coming in slower than predicted and financial experts don't expect any quick turnaround.

The biggest single project approved Thursday was a $53 million 1,000 bed addition to the prison at the Southern Desert Correctional Center in Clark County. This would be the second phase of a new prison complex. The board is going to solicit bids this fall for the first phase of the project, expected to cost $82 million.

The university system suggested the state finance $105.2 million in new buildings which included 16 projects. The PWB staff cut that to $93.7 million and the board sliced it another $30 million.

The panel agreed to eliminate the addition to the student services building at UNLV; high-technology centers at high school campuses in Pahrump and Las Vegas; and a Southern Nevada Science Center at the Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas.

Surviving were $7.5 million for new furnishings at the Lied Library at UNLV and $12.9 million for renovation of the old library into a law school. The board also recommended $17 million for a new science building at the Charleston campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada.

The board recommended a $12.7 million new office building in Las Vegas for the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. Also approved was a $12 million new headquarters for the Nevada Highway Patrol in Las Vegas.

At Comeaux's recommendation, the board also eliminated a recommended $806,320 to fix the air conditioning and heating system in the Blasdel Building in Carson City where he has his offices.

The board also approved $594,475 to fix air and soil problems in state buildings and grounds after PWB manager Eric Raecke said the state has encountered a "sick building syndrome."

Raecke said the problem occurs as the buildings are sealed up to conserve energy.

Comeaux also said operational budget requests from state agencies will be also sliced. He didn't have a total of what they have requested but said they are probably 50 to 100 percent more than the available money.

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