Coyote Springs, Nevada

Coyote Springs development in 2006

Coyote Springs, Nevada, is a master-planned community being developed in Lincoln County and Clark County, Nevada. The community was initially planned by developer and attorney-lobbyist Harvey Whittemore and Pardee Homes. Thomas Seeno and Albert Seeno, Jr. became the sole owners of Coyote Springs following Whittemore's resignation from the Wingfield Nevada Holding Group amidst legal troubles. No homes had been built as of 2013, and a Wingfield spokesperson predicted that construction remained years away.

Current development

A golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus has been constructed, but additional work was put on hold due to the economic recession in the United States[1] and complex legal issues.[2] The planned development has attracted controversy because of environmental concerns and allegations of political favoritism.[3]

Location

The community was planned to cover 43,000 acres (17,000 ha) or 65 square miles (170 km2). While mostly in Lincoln County, initial development was planned for the Clark County portion of the land. Coyote Springs is located between U.S. Route 93 on the west and the Meadow Valley Mountains to the east, a drive of less than an hour from the city of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip. The Coyote Springs valley is bisected by several major washes including the Pahrangat Wash and the Kane Springs Wash. The only access to the community is via U.S. Route 93 and Route 168.

History

Plans for Coyote Springs were first announced in 1998. Construction on the first golf course, designed by professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, began in 2005; the course opened in 2008.[4] Construction on the community itself was planned for around the same time, with the official ground breaking held on July 5, 2006. Regulatory issues involving water rights and environmental issues delayed construction. An economic recession in the US recession placed construction plans on hold.[1] Progress has been stalled further by various legal battles, and there is skepticism as to whether homes will ever be built.[2]

In 2009, BrightSource Energy had announced plans to build a 960 MW (1,290,000 hp) solar thermal power plant within the development.[5] Generators provided electricity until 2012, when an electricity substation was opened.[2]

Controversy

Coyote Springs has proven controversial because of environmental issues and allegations of perceived favours granted developer Harvey Whittemore by politicians including Senator Harry Reid.[4][6][7][8] In 2012, Whittemore was convicted on three felony charges related to illegal campaign donations to Harry Reid.

Whittemore split from his business partners, Thomas Seeno and Albert Seeno, Jr., in 2010, resigning from Wingfield Holding Group and selling his stake in Coyote Springs. The Seenos had accused Whittemore of embezzling funds from the company, including improper use of Wingfield resources to support the troubled Whittemore Peterson Institute. Whittemore responded with a countersuit. Wingfield and Pardee Homes have also been engaged in legal battles.[2]

In February 2009, the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental advocacy group, announced plans to sue the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for violations of the Endangered Species Act. The Center contends the Coyote Springs development and resultant loss of water resources and habitat would harm the desert tortoise and potentially hasten the extinction of the Moapa dace, both endangered species. The Fish and Wildlife Service and Nevada's water authority responded that they, too, are interested in protecting the Moapa dace, a small fish living in the Muddy River north of Las Vegas.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Van Sickle, Gary (November 14, 2009). "The Chase at the PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs: A Jack Nicklaus design in the middle of a city on hold". Sports Illustrated.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Shine, Connor (August 22, 2012). "Electricity will flow to Coyote Springs, but there are still no homes to power". Las Vegas Sun.
  3. ↑ Sherman, Frederick, (April 23, 2006). "The birth of Nevada's newest town". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 23, 2006.
  4. 1 2 3 Brean, Henry (February 11, 2009). "Conservation group plans to sue U.S. agencies over Nevada water project". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  5. ↑ Tavares, Stephanie (December 23, 2009). "Vision for desert solar power plant expands". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  6. ↑ Schumacher, Geoff (September 3, 2006). "The marvel, outrage of Coyote Springs". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  7. ↑ Neubauer, Chuck; Richard T. Cooper (August 20, 2006). "Desert Connections". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ↑ Waldman, Peter (February 2008). "When Harry Met Vegas". Portfolio.com (Condé Nast Publications/Bizjournals). Retrieved April 25, 2010.

External links

Coordinates: 36°47′59″N 114°55′27″W / 36.799595°N 114.924302°W / 36.799595; -114.924302

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