State takes first step in settling vets' home lawsuits

The Public Works Board voted Tuesday to approve a settlement with the architect who designed the Southern Nevada Veterans Home.

The home has been the subject of litigation since the state stepped in several years ago to finish construction, saying the contractor wasn't doing the job.

Addison Construction sued the state for $13 million and the state countersued.

The state also sued architects HCA of Las Vegas.

It was the portion of the litigation involving architect Harry Campbell which was settled Tuesday. The deal read into the record by Board member Rene Ashleman says the state will get the $600,000 remaining in Campbell's insurance policy and turn $100,000 of that over to him for extra work done.

Public Works Manager Dan O'Brien said depositions are under way with Addison Construction and that the case is scheduled for hearing before a panel of three arbitrators in November. Arbitration is expected to take up to five weeks.

In addition, the board agreed to ask the Board of Examiners and Interim finance Committee what they want to do to repair the Sawyer Building, the state office structure in Las Vegas. The 2005 Legislature appropriated just under $10 million to fix that building after tiles on its facade began falling off last year.

O'Brien's staff has recommended replacing the tiles with new tiles but some lawmakers, including Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, have recommended going with something cheaper, like stucco, instead.

O'Brien said he will leave it to them to decide.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.