New Vegas Mayor May Settle Costly Lawsuits with Developer

By NEVBEX Staff for NEVBEX

The City of Las Vegas elected Shelley Berkley as mayor last month, and a large element of Berkley’s campaign focused on the legal battle of the would-be developer of the Badlands Golf Course.

Berkley, a former U.S. congresswoman, will be replacing Mayor Carolyn Goodman. The mayor-elect defeated Councilwoman Victoria Seaman in the November election. Seaman will remain on the City Council.

Berkley stated the Badlands cases must be settled with haste for the good of the City. Sin City is facing potential losses of up to $650M if it continues to lose lawsuits filed by EHB Companies.

EHB filed several lawsuits after City Council blocked the housing development the company had planned on the 250-acre golf course. Reportedly, the project was blocked after protests from residents of the Queensridge community.

As of Oct. 31, the company has already been awarded $285M for three of the four cases. Berkley stated the City is currently paying interest of $130K/day.

Council is considering an out-of-court settlement of between $250M-$286M. Reportedly, Berkley believes the 250 acres will be sold to a third-party developer who will eventually construct on the land.

Berkley Supports Housing Development

Berkley has described the affordable housing shortage as a supply-and-demand issue. The mayor-elect supports a federal-state proposal that will release Bureau of Land Management land for potential developments.

Berkley also pointed to the Historic Westside and east Las Vegas as prime areas for development.