Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Kyle homes, sound walls to be key items

Building on 1,500 acres near Kyle Canyon, a $155 million valley-wide wish list for parks and other civic amenities, and replacing ineffective sound walls to block the highway roar from neighborhoods along U.S. 95 from the Spaghetti Bowl to Charleston Boulevard are among the agenda items for Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday.

Gary Reese, Ward 3 councilman, represents an area that includes a stretch of U.S. 95 from about Eastern Avenue to the Charleston curve. He said the problem with the walls began several years ago when the new stretch of highway went in.

He said anyone driving along the highway can "see what they gave us for sound walls. I was so mad when they put them up. I (have) been fighting ever since."

Reese said the project was a cooperative venture between the city and the Nevada Highway Department. The city's share was under $2 million, he said.

The new sound walls will cost upwards of $25 million, Reese said, with the city picking up half the tab with money from a Regional Transportation Commission bond. The sound barriers were a different type from those used elsewhere in the city, Reese said.

"They said it was just experimental. As soon as they put them up, the neighbors were complaining and we knew it didn't work," he said. "So now, through (the Regional Transportation Commission) and the city of Las Vegas and (Nevada Department of Transportation) we do have some funding."

The entire stretch, about 3 1/2 miles, also includes a portion of Ward 5, which is represented by Councilman Lawrence Weekly.

In other action:

While the city touts the plan as an example of "smart growth," others have criticized the idea of massive development far from the city core, and some homeowners aren't happy about being followed by the growth from which they tried to move away.

The area is in Ward 6, represented by Councilman Michael Mack. Three other small parcels also are likely to be requested by the city. Those total 27 acres and are in the Summerlin area, represented by Ward 2 Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald.

The list totals 11 projects, including the Neon Boneyard collection of retired neon signs, 10 miles of trails and 425 acres of parks and open space. Many of the projects already are part of the city's plan; the placement on the projects list simply provides for the funding.

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