The owner of the three buildings currently occupied by Conservation and Natural Resources has asked the state to consider buying them rather than building a new structure north of the Department of Transportation.
Secretary of State Dean Heller, who objected to the new building because it is being built as a lease-purchase project, asked the Board of Examiners Tuesday to look into the offer received Monday.
Dr. Phillip Frost offered the buildings totaling 98,000 square feet to the state for $10 million - which his lawyers argued is far less than the $72 million the state will pay over the next 27 years for its new building on Stewart Street.
The buildings, according to the letter, were constructed about 10 years ago by Roger Shaheen specifically for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and contain a number of improvements specifically designed for that department including a laboratory for the U.S. Geological Survey.
Heller urged Gov. Kenny Guinn and Attorney General Brian Sandoval to consider the offer as a possible way to save money but Guinn pointed out the offer comes a month after the lease-purchase plan was approved and contracts starting it signed.
He said those buildings on Nye Lane also have considerable wear and tear from use and would require repairs.
Guinn said they are no longer large enough for the entire department, which is housed not only in those three offices but four other places in Carson City. The new building would provide space for the entire department.
And he pointed out no funding has been allocated to make such a purchase so the plan would have to wait at least until the next legislative session in 2005.
Guinn said, however, the state could take a look at the buildings and evaluate their condition as a potential site for other state agencies.
Contact Geoff Dornan at nevadaappeal@sbcglobal.net or 687-8750.
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