Shopping center developers want to join efforts to rescue redevelopment in Douglas County

Nevada Appeal News Service

MINDEN - Developers of a proposed commercial shopping area are asking District Judge Michael Gibbons if they can join Douglas County officials in their fight to expand the redevelopment area east of Highway 395 in the north county.

The Indian Hills General Improvement District got a temporary restraining order on Feb. 16 halting the expansion of the redevelopment district.

The hearing to include AIG Baker in the action is scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Douglas County District Court.

In their motion, AIG Baker officials say the company has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in planning and initiating development of the property.

Efforts by Indian Hills to stop redevelopment puts the whole project in jeopardy, in part by preventing AIG from finalizing commitments from retailers and closing on purchase of the land.

"In addition to investing in landowner contracts, AIG Baker has also relied on the county's consideration and adoption of the (redevelopment) ordinance because the economic viability of the entire shopping center project depends on the receipt of redevelopment funds," the motion said.

In their arguments, AIG Baker officials claim to be arguing for the public's interests in addition to their own.

"It appears that political concerns are, at least in part, motivating Indian Hills' lawsuit against the county and the public's general interests are being ignored as a result of these political motivations," the AIG motion said.

"AIG Baker's opposition to Indian Hills' petition, in contrast, will focus on the economic realities underlying the ordinance and demonstrate the benefits the general public will receive from the proposed redevelopment plan."

For months, the proposed expansion of North Douglas County's redevelopment area has been a bone of contention between Douglas County and Indian Hills officials.

The 610 acres considered for redevelopment includes a proposed commercial area that could provide much-needed revenues for Indian Hills, should its residents vote to become a city.

When fully developed, the commercial area could bring roughly $750,000 to Douglas County coffers for everything from the libraries and improvement districts to the general fund, County Manager Dan Holler said at a recent meeting of the county commissioners.

n Contact reporter Susie Vasquez at svasquez@recordcourier.com