|
 The
Laughlin Town Manager’s Office had a successful year
in 2006 as many of its long-term projects came to
fruition. Several projects, cultivated over years of
collaboration with other area governments and entities,
are expected to continue to reap “tangible, touchable
results” in 2007.
“It
was an exciting year where planning and cooperation on
recreational improvements, transportation infrastructure
and several private developments in Laughlin showed
measurable progression,” said Laughlin Town Manager
Jackie Brady. “We also worked with area developers to
help smooth out the permitting and development process.
We will be looking at about 2,500 new rooftops soon and
an increase in available planning services at the local
level will help maintain that upward new housing
trend.”
“We
also launched a very in-depth and exciting economic
development plan for Laughlin, which is developing
congruently with our new Land Use Plan. Through 2006, we
assisted some of our counterparts in other areas of
government reach successful conclusions to issues such
as mental health service needs and Laughlin’s
administration of guidelines impacting our many
recreational vehicle customers.”
A
great deal of progress was made on one of the area’s
most anticipated town assets. Laughlin Development
Manager Deborah Murray has championed the North Reach
Trails and Park Project. The eight-year effort has
included partnerships with agencies such as the Bureau
of Reclamation (USBR), National Parks Service (NPS),
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and others. In 2006, the
Environmental Assessment was completed with favorable
public comments. The project, funded by the Southern
Nevada Public Lands Management Act, will expand the
Laughlin recreational experience and feature miles of
multi-use trails, trail heads with public facilities and
parking, an overpass connecting the system to
Casino Drive
, fishing nodes and an impressive day-use park
development at the base of Davis Dam. The developments
will take place on USBR lands and construction could
start in late 2007 after about four years of conceptual
and environmental planning.
The
ribbon was cut in late summer of 2006 on
Clark
County
’s fulfilled “promise” to improve
Nevada
’s portion of
Needles Highway
. The 28-mile link between Laughlin and I-40 in Needles,
Ca has been the focus of a 9-year effort involving
dozens of different jurisdictions. Work on the
California
portion of the roadway continues.
“This
promise was not just to better serve the two million
annual tourists who drive this 28-mile link to
Laughlin,” explained Clark County Commissioner Bruce
Woodbury. “While it is true they bring millions of
dollars in economic impacts to the whole area and they
were certainly challenged in maneuvering this exhausted
roadway while pulling boats or arriving in a variety of
automobiles, we did it for other reasons as well. Our
local residents and businesses also use this roadway
daily and we can now advance more economic development
opportunities in south Laughlin.”
Another
important transportation improvement is now in its
environmental process stages and also involves
multi-jurisdictions in the
Colorado River
communities. In 2006, agreements and contracts for the EA
were executed to continue progress on a second public
bridge between Laughlin and
Bullhead City
,
AZ.
Comprehensive
Planning is working with Laughlin leaders to update the
town’s Land Use Plan. Last year, more than 150 of the
town’s nearly 9,000 residents came to public meetings,
received information and offered comments on the
planning process. Two unique elements have been added
and are especially important for Laughlin: a Mixed Use
Development (MUD) overlay for most properties along the
river and a Riverwalk District element that addresses
the long-range intent to have a varied Riverwalk from
near Davis Dam to at least the Fort Mohave Indian
Reservation to the south. All major work on this plan
has been completed and is awaiting an economic
development plan that considers land use goals.
Subsequently, the plan will undergo the standard
approval process.
“Although
Clark County has never needed an Economic Development
Plan, Laughlin’s slowed growth, limited private land,
increased competition in gaming with surrounding states
and the closing of the Mohave Generating Station have
all contributed to the need to look at alternative but
complementary employment opportunities that can be
marketed,” said Brady. “Laughlin is the major
employer for the lower
Colorado River
region. In 2006, we began a planning process including
having our consultants meet with community leaders and
gather necessary data from primary and secondary sources
to determine areas in which Laughlin can diversify its
industries and expand on tourism.”
The
Laughlin Town Manager’s Office served as the liaison
between the local resorts and the Southern Nevada Health
District last year to find more updated and applicable
policies related to overnight parking among the large
recreational vehicle segment of Laughlin’s tourism
base. By the end of 2006, many private, public and
government representatives arrived at solutions which
addressed health and safety concerns regarding
recreational vehicle camping in hotel parking lots.
The
Laughlin
Mental
Health
Center
is now providing services to local residents after years
of lobbying and requests for such by the community. The
Laughlin Town Manager’s Office assisted with providing
information, offices, custodial services and staff in
the preparations and opening the center.
“We
obviously did many things in the year, but the
highlights are touchable, tangible results,” explained
Brady. “New commercial developments, new residential
housing and the interest and excitement about these
other projects demonstrate that Laughlin’s quality of
life is desirable and that our community cares about the
progress of these projects.”
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