UNLV seeks downtown site

UNLV has its heart set on having a downtown campus.

The question now is where.

Mike Forche, president of the City Centre Development Corp., the overseer of redevelopment for the city of Las Vegas, told the CCDC board Wednesday that he is working with UNLV officials to help them find a suitable place for the university's downtown site.

Some of the classes to be offered at the proposed facility include paralegal, hotel management and business courses, which would fit in well with the large number of law offices, hotel-casinos and other businesses downtown.

"They are willing to start with one classroom, but I don't think that is a good idea," Forche said, noting that he would rather see the university receive an entire floor of a big building and expand rather than quickly outgrow small facilities and relocate several times.

"The desire is there (on the part of UNLV), now we need to look for a location that will maintain itself for awhile. We want a place that will grow and expand."

Forche said UNLV, which has its main campus on South Maryland Parkway, intends to model its downtown campus after ones such as the Arizona State University downtown facility that has been successful.

Among the sites that have been suggested are the Bank of America Building, the Wells Fargo Building, the 233 S. Fourth St. building and the old Las Vegas High School.

The vacant Bridger Building also was proposed, but Forche said Clark County is attempting to sell it and is not seeking tenants at this time.

"They (UNLV officials) don't want to buy anything -- they want to lease," Forche said.

A meeting is expected to be set up among area banks, city officials, business leaders and UNLV officials to settle on the most appropriate and available place, Forche said.

UNLV officials did not address the seven-member board at its public meeting Wednesday.

In other action by the CCDC:

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