NLV master plan becomes reality

North Valley Enterprises, an affiliate of American Nevada Corp. and Del Webb Communities Inc., on Tuesday unveiled the name, logo and participating home builders in phase one of Aliante, a 1,905-acre master-planned community in North Las Vegas.

Aliante, which already had begun construction before the event, will consist of two villages, one for traditional housing and another that is age-qualified. Plans for the multiphase community include as many as 7,500 homes for about 20,000 residents, and an 18-hole, 6,900-yard, par-72 municipal golf course designed by Gary Panks Associates of Scottsdale, Ariz.

The name Aliante and the logo's depiction of birds in flight are meant to symbolize the developer's objectives: "To create a tranquil environment based on nature and discovery. A place where families can soar to new heights."

About 1,750 homes in nine neighborhoods are slated for the first phase of the traditional housing village. Participating builders are: D.R. Horton, KB Home, Pardee Homes and Pulte Homes. The first phase will offer entry-level and move-up neighborhoods, along with one multifamily project. Preliminary pricing will range from the low $100,000s to the high $200,000s.

The first phase of the age-qualified village will comprise 115 homes priced from the $130,000s. The first homes are set for occupancy in early 2003.

The Aliante community is bordered roughly by Grand Teton Drive to the north, Centennial Parkway to the south, Decatur Boulevard to the west and Clayton Street to the east. Interstate 215 bisects the community.

The site was purchased at a Bureau of Land Management auction in May 2001.

Representatives of North Valley Enterprises and the city of North Las Vegas said the community will provide homes and amenities comparable to those featured in other major master-planned communities in Southern Nevada.

"As pioneers in the development of Southern Nevada, American Nevada Corp. and Del Webb Communities have collectively developed more than 40,000 home sites, comprising some of Southern Nevada's most popular master-planned communities," said John Kilduff, president of American Nevada Corp. "Aliante will build on the tradition of its partners, providing residents with quality housing, balanced by appropriate commercial, cultural, recreational and municipal functions."

Chris Haines, president of Del Webb Nevada Communities, said the community is designed as an intimate village.

"The size of this parcel enabled us to take a smaller-scale and more detail-oriented approach to community planning," Haines said. "The overall design will promote a sense of living in a comfortable village."

About 22 percent or 428 acres of the community is designated for recreational and public purposes. That includes city parks (one of which will incorporate the golf course), linear parks and a trail system. Plans include two elementary schools, a middle school, a fire station and potential library site.

Among the 45 acres of parks will be the 20-acre Nature Discovery Park. This facility will feature a man-made lake with waterfalls in a wooded setting with an archeological-themed play area. The playground will feature a dinosaur head-shaped entry; a dinosaur's rib cage that, when touched, can either squirt water or make sounds; a dinosaur tail slide; a "Dino Dig" area; a fossil wall; and dinosaur eggs in various stages of hatching.

Other features will include pterodactyl shade structures, a themed play structure and a wet play area centered around a spraying water-serpent. The park will also have a group picnic area and amphitheater, soccer fields, and tennis and volleyball courts.

A more conventional 15-acre park will offer lighted ball fields, soccer fields and a play area; and a 10-acre park will feature ball fields, a play area and a picnic ramada.

More than 24 miles of lighted linear parks and trails, including six mini-park rest areas, will connect segments of the community. A 36-acre arroyo will link to the trail system.

The information center overlooking Nature Discovery Park will offer displays and a fiber-optic topographic model of the community. Additionally, a coffee shop inside the information center will have indoor and outdoor seating.

About 100 acres of the master plan are allocated for commercial development, including 40 acres for a gaming hotel.

Development activity and presales are expected to begin in fall. Construction of the information center is scheduled to begin in October.

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