North Las Vegas to Review Significant Housing Development Proposal

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An artist's impression of the new housing development in North Las Vegas aimed at improving the lives of Windsor Park residents.

News Summary

The North Las Vegas Planning Commission is set to review a proposal for a 93-lot housing development for Windsor Park residents, who face structural issues and deteriorating infrastructure. This public hearing is part of an initiative aimed to replace sinking homes caused by geological faults and groundwater extraction. Spearheaded by the Community Development Programs Center of Nevada, the project hopes to provide new housing and economic opportunities for local businesses. The community is hopeful that this development will bring essential improvements and stability.

North Las Vegas – The North Las Vegas Planning Commission is set to review a significant proposal for a 93-lot housing development aimed at the residents of Windsor Park, a community historically plagued by structural issues and deteriorating infrastructure. This public hearing will take place along Carey Avenue, just west of Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The proposed housing tract encompasses approximately 18 acres that are currently enclosed by wrought-iron fencing. The project aims to provide new homes to families in Windsor Park, an area that has faced ongoing challenges since its establishment in the 1960s over geological faults. Homeowners in this neighborhood have experienced sinking homes due to the extraction of groundwater from underground aquifers, which has caused extensive damage to both residences and public utilities.

The development is spearheaded by the Las Vegas-based Community Development Programs Center of Nevada, led by founder Frank Hawkins. This initiative forms part of a publicly funded project initiated by State Senator Dina Neal, who has close ties to Hawkins. In the previous year, the developer received a $37 million state contract to build single-family homes targeted at Windsor Park residents who have lost their homes due to these affordability and structural concerns.

As part of this initiative, Hawkins’ firm purchased the designated project site for $9.9 million, which includes an extra parcel that is not part of the current subdivision plans. To expedite the application process, city staff are responding to specific funding deadlines that compel swift action on the development.

Senator Neal introduced the Windsor Park Environmental Justice Act in 2023, which facilitates homeowners’ ability to exchange their damaged properties for newly constructed homes. As part of the legislation, the Nevada Housing Division has authorized Hawkins’ firm for the contract. Allowing for a profit margin of approximately $1.75 million, the act also mandates that the state cover relocation costs for homeowners and provide restitution of up to $50,000, as well as assistance with existing mortgage repayments.

A key focus of the act is to create development opportunities for businesses owned by current or former Windsor Park residents, aiming to bolster local economic growth. Though concerns have been raised regarding the fairness of the bidding process for the project, with some officials discussing potential improprieties, both Senator Neal and Hawkins have firmly denied any wrongdoing.

In light of whisperings of impropriety, Senator Neal recused herself from the bidding review while still voicing concerns about competitors. A recent legislative attempt to adjust terms of the initial law unfortunately did not pass, putting additional pressure on the project timeline.

Residents of Windsor Park are hopeful that approval of the new development will lead to the demolition of existing homes, paving the way for a park where their damaged residences presently stand. This will allow for affected residents to relocate into the new housing upon completion. The development’s proximity to the North Las Vegas Airport will also be assessed, as forecasts indicate a future increase in aircraft noise.

Historically, Windsor Park has been a primarily Black neighborhood that has faced significant challenges related to housing and infrastructure. As plans for this new housing development unfold, the community is breathing a sigh of relief, eagerly awaiting the realization of their long-desired new homes.

As the Planning Commission gears up to deliberate on this proposal, the outcome could mark a pivotal moment in the continuous struggle for safety, stability, and community rebuilding in Windsor Park.