Nevada finance panel OK’s purchase of wildlife building

After a contentious hearing on wildlife’s request to buy a new southern office building April 4, members of the Interim Finance Committee were much more accommodating on Thursday.

They voted to approve the $3.5 million purchase after being told it’s a unique opportunity that suits wildlife’s needs far better than the 50-year-old building they outgrew long ago.

The primary objection to the plan centered on Wildlife Director Tony Wasley presenting it as an emergency. He said the owner has other offers and the opportunity would quickly go away if lawmakers didn’t act.

He said a good share of the cost will be reimbursed later when the existing building on Las Vegas Boulevard is sold to the city of Las Vegas.

With a new HVAC system, moving costs, signage, paint and new carpets, he said the total cost of the new building will come in just a bit more than $4 million.

To further offset the cost, he said once they’re in the new building, two leases in Boulder City and multiple storage facilities around the Las Vegas Valley will no longer be needed.