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In business transportation development Board questions $2.8 million for consultants on road expansion Water research center at UNLV gets OK from the state By Cy Ryan���staff writer CARSON CITY ��� The Nevada Transportation Board isn���t happy about spending $2.8 million for out-of-state legal and financial consultants for the giant Neon project to expand Interstate 15 along the Strip. Transportation Director Rudy Malfabon told the board ���there���s been a lot of concern��� that local consultants were not hired to get the project ready to bid next year. But, he said, local financial and legal firms did not have the expertise to put together the project. The department has hired the legal firm of Nossaman LLC for $1.4 million and Ernst and Young for $1.39��million as the financial consultants to chart the way for the $1.2 billion project. This will be the largest public-private partnership ever in constructing a highway in Nevada. Gov. Brian Sandoval questioned whether the state would be paying $500 an hour while an attorney is flying to Nevada. The range for the legal contract is $450 to $600 an hour. Sandoval also expressed concerns that there would be amendments, particularly on the legal contract, to increase the amount paid by the state. ���We have seen this happen with very expensive amendments,��� he said. Assistant Transportation Director Scott Sisco said expenses ���will be watched very closely.��� Malfabon said there will be some trips by the lawyers to Nevada, but other sessions will be conducted by telephone or video conference. The project, a 3.7-mile section of I-15 from south of Sahara Avenue to the Spaghetti Bowl, is expected to go out to bid by February. The department is looking for a firm to help finance and build the expanded highway. SOLUTIONS AT WORK By Cy Ryan���staff writer CARSON CITY ��� Creating a UNLV center for advanced water research won approval of $3.8 million in contracts by the state Board of Examiners this month. Economic Development Director Steve Hill told the board there were few experts in this field and the center could create jobs, market its research and bring business to Nevada. To start up this center, both the Desert Research Institute and the economic development agency will contribute $1.4��million, and the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation will chip in $925,000. IBM will also be part of this project. Hill said there is much research on water now available but IBM, with its advanced computer systems, will take it to another level. The center would initially employ three to six people and it is expected to grow. Hill said the research could be on such things as water pressure and water leak- age. Frank Woodbeck, director of the employment agency, said the center would train people in the basics of water skills and ���create a career pathway.��� Hill said a director of the center has not been named yet but a retired water expert is being looked at. The center would be judged on the number of trainees, the jobs it creates and the number of companies it attracts to Nevada. In other action, the board approved a $250,598 settlement to three companies that claimed the expansion the Blue Diamond Road in Clark County blocked access to their business. A district court awarded Blue Diamond RV and Storage, Donal Series 1 and United Estates Trust $624,401. The three companies appealed. Transportation Director Rudy Malfabon told the board a judgment against the state could end up costing the state more. Senior Deputy Attorney General Karissa Neff said future legal fees could amount to $200,000 alone. FULL SUMMERGATE CORPORATE CENTER FLOOR AVAILABLE 982 TO 26,000 SQ. FT. OF PRIME OFFICE SPACE. 7670-7674 WEST LAKE MEAD BLVD. AT BUFFALO DR. IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY OR WILL BUILD TO SUIT �� If you have employees, you have a reason to call us. 3800 Howard Hughes Parkway ��� Suite 950 ��� Las Vegas, NV 89169 ��� 702.252.3131 www.laborlawyers.com AtlAntA Boston chArlotte chicAgo clevelAnd columBiA 10 20130325_VI10_F.indd 10 columBus dAllAs denver fort lAuderdAle houston irvine kAnsAs city lAs vegAs los Angeles louisville memphis new englAnd new jersey new orleAns orlAndo philAdelphiA phoenix portlAnd sAn Antonio sAn diego sAn frAncisco tAmpA wAshington,d.c. Exclusive Leasing & Management By COMMERCIAL SPECIALISTS | 702.364.0909 | 25 MARCH 2013 | 3/21/13 2:19:51 PM