COLUMN: Carmel Hopkins

The evolution of the Las Vegas Valley continues. Over the years, there have been tremendous rivalries and snobbisms involving the entities of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

Some of the names residents have called each other certainly haven't been nice. A friend once took umbrage when his hometown of Henderson was referred to as "Hooterville." He responded with a pejorative about Boulder City that I can't print, but rhymes.

Then, of course, there was "Northtown," a label that the mayor and city council members of North Las Vegas hated. About 30 years ago, the name Vegas Verde (Green Meadows) was floated as a substitute, but never panned out. Several years ago, the hue and cry was raised again.

"We're tired of being known as Northtown," city leaders cried. "Let's change the name to something that reflects our hard-working residents."

Some genius floated the name "Industry." Industry, Nevada. Has a certain ring to it, doesn't it? The name generated such derision (visions of smokestacks dancing in their heads) that North Las Vegas didn't sound so horrible and city fathers have stuck with it.

Since then, of course, Henderson has become the second largest city in Nevada, thanks to master plans such as Green Valley, Green Valley Ranch, Seven Hills and Anthem; North Las Vegas is the fourth largest city (look out, Reno), thanks to innovative communities such as Eldorado; and Boulder City is still, well, Boulder City.

Last week, the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce held its 2002 Economic Outlook, a gathering of city leaders, business people and prognosticators. American Nevada Corp. had a huge presence at the seminar and John Kilduff, president of the company, spoke about Aliante, the newest addition to North Las Vegas. Aliante is the master-planned community that American Nevada Corp. is building in conjunction with Del Webb Corp. under the name North Valley Enterprises LLC.

A couple of years ago, the partnership purchased more than 1,900 acres from the BLM for $47.2 million. The area is a hubbub of grading and infrastructure installation and, according to Kilduff, model homes soon will dot the landscape.

Kilduff amused attendees with slides of one of the parks planned for Aliante. Dinosaur Discovery area will be entered through the mouth of a triceratops. The interior of the park includes a tot lot, a water play area and interactive dinosaur "bones." Kids (of all ages) will love it.

Dino park is within the 20-acre Nature Discovery Park, which will be adjacent to an information gallery that will include a coffee shop. A restaurant will take the place of the gallery once home sales are completed. The building overlooks a 1 1/2-acre lake. Kilduff said North Valley Enterprises considers it important to have amenities available to the first homeowners. Therefore, the company is footing the bill for the coffee shop, which is intended to open in conjunction with the first sales offices.

Land and several million dollars have been set aside for a fire station within the community's boundaries. Acreage also has been designated for a library, two elementary schools and a middle school. Aliante basically is split in two by the Las Vegas Beltway. The northern portion will be devoted to a Sun City development; the southern portion will focus on family lifestyles. Where the kids and parents have parks, soccer fields and schools, the "active adults" have a golf course and casino. Something for everyone.

Naturally, there will be shops, office space and other amenities for residents. Miles of lighted trails will span the community and a 36-acre arroyo will maintain the desert look.

A group of panelists sang the praises of the Cheyenne Technology Corridor, where RDS/Insight is developing the city's first mixed-use business park. Panelists spoke of the importance of incorporating the most cutting-edge technology in the park, so top high-tech industry can be attracted to North Las Vegas.

The seminar was informative, interesting and educational. Way to go, Northtown.

Carmel Hopkins, real estate product manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@ lasvegasnewspapers.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

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