Nevada Lawmakers Push for Funding and Development Projects

Nevada lawmakers are seeking an additional twenty-five million dollars for the Windsor Park project, a significant initiative aimed at developing new homes in a historically Black neighborhood in North Las Vegas.

The proposed bill, introduced during a special legislative session, seeks to amend a previous measure that allocated thirty-seven million dollars for the construction of a new subdivision. Windsor Park has faced severe structural issues for decades, as it was built over geological faults, leading to widespread damage and neighborhood decline.

The new development will consist of a ninety-three-lot subdivision, with construction already underway along Carey Avenue, just west of Martin Luther King Boulevard. Homeowners in the area will have the opportunity to exchange their damaged properties for newly built homes.

Senator Dina Neal, who represents North Las Vegas, introduced the original bill and is part of the Senate Jobs and Economy Committee. This new legislation would not only secure additional funding but also allow the chosen developer to undertake related work without a formal bidding process.

Community Development Programs Center of Nevada, led by Frank Hawkins, the former Las Vegas councilman and NFL player, was awarded the development contract. The project aims to revitalize Windsor Park, which has been plagued by cracked roads and damaged houses due to geological instability.

Funding for the original project was primarily sourced from federal COVID relief funds. Concerns have been raised about the close ties between Hawkins and Senator Neal, who has a long-standing connection with his family.

Despite the scrutiny, both Neal and Hawkins maintain that the bidding process was conducted ethically and transparently. The report notes that there were discussions among officials about possibly reopening the bid process due to concerns about the quality of submissions.

However, Neal expressed urgency in moving forward, indicating a strong preference for Hawkins to lead the project. The development's potential impact on the community is significant, as it seeks to address long-standing issues faced by residents of Windsor Park.

As construction progresses, the hope is that this initiative will provide much-needed housing and improve the overall quality of life in the area. Contact information for further inquiries is available through the Las Vegas Review-Journal.