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APRIL Breakfast Re-capApril 2010 Breakfast re-cap The April NAIOP breakfast meeting was very interesting and informed everyone in attendance “How development in downtown Las Vegas affects Southern Nevada.” Sponsored by Statewide Fire Protection and moderated by Jeff LapPour of LaPour, the panel included Myron Martin, President/CEO of The Smith Center, and Maureen Peckman, Chief Emerging Business Officer with the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. With an extensive background in development, Jeff LapPour pointed out that these two projects took a completely different approach on architecture. While they are both very unique and fit for their specific project, The Smith Center looked for a design that could last for 100 years and the Lou Ruvo Brain Center took on an approach of their own. LapPour said, “We are not building a building, we are building a Community.” The story of The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brian Health: It started with a mission… Larry Ruvo had raised $6 million and started reaching out for partners. He soon found out that nobody was interested in forming a partnership in Las Vegas. He managed to get a meeting with world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, and within a few hours Mr. Ruvo had a commitment from him to design the $74 million facility. They are proud to say that, with $65 million raised, 99 percent of the funds have come from Nevada donors. On February 17, 2009, Mr. Ruvo announced the center’s affiliation with the Cleveland Clinic, and on July 13 of the same year it treated its first patient. The center’s “Life Activity Center” opened in May 2010, and it now treats more than 100 patients a week. The Smith Center: Eighteen years ago, there was a call-to-action meeting! Today, the Smith Center is well on its way to completion. The $470 million project is scheduled to be completed in December 2011 with its first performance slated for March 2012. The Smith Center is using 15 to 20 consultants to coordinate the construction of the building because of its world-class architecture and acoustics. Symphony Park, the 61-acre downtown redevelopment project is being developed by Newland Communities. The City of Las Vegas is relying on these two projects to draw more interest to the area while additional development continues around it. Peckman said, “We are changing the face of Las Vegas and the quality of life!” When asked why these two projects chose downtown Las Vegas, Peckman humorously replied “The Mayor made us.” Martin added, “All the partners believed the arts center needed to be in the heart of the city.” These are amazing projects and are the key to additional development in Downtown Las Vegas. With a world-class medical research center and a center for the performing arts, who knows what else may follow! Written by:
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