Developer hopes to turn empty space into new medical center

Chris Telles, owner of four buildings in the Edwards Business Plaza complex at 3640 S. Highway 160, thinks Pahrump is possibly in trouble when it comes to health care and it is his reason for wanting to dedicate the buildings to providing space to medical offices for physicians who thus far, have had a difficult time finding something suitable to lease.

There are several Las Vegas physicians who have partnered together and leased space in various locations throughout the valley. They trade days of availability by coming to the valley one or two days per week and offer their specialties to residents here. However, as need for special medical care rises, appointments are difficult to obtain on less than one month’s notice.

Telles said, “With Obamacare, and the new structure for Medicare, people all across the nation have access to insurance they’ve never had before. So when they don’t feel well or require a specialist, they will use the insurance to see a doctor instead of waiting until the situation becomes an emergency.”

He also said, “Medicare, under the current structure, doesn’t offer high-quality medical care. Physicians won’t be compensated for their services like they were, and we’re going to have a shortage of doctors. There is a fear factor in that we will have an increase in the need for services and fewer doctors to provide them.”

Telles has up to 17,000 square feet of space for lease at 97 cents per square foot. He is even offering financing for the tenant improvements. “Some of the space is already built out and is move-in ready. The rest of the space can be designed to suit by my architect so it’s a blank slate.” He said before the recession, commercial space was leasing for as much as $1.60 per square foot.

The promotional brochure offers the opportunity for naming the complex to an “anchor tenant.”

Currently Dr. Darrick Neibaur, D.O. and Nevada Eye &Ear have opened offices in the complex.

Construction in Las Vegas is rebounding and Telles said, Pahrump is growing to the south and Las Vegas is growing to the north. The speedway is doing some development and is positioned for both to grow.”

He is optimistic about the possibilities in Pahrump and said the potential here is very high. “It’s the best neighborhood in Las Vegas. It’s quiet, you have clean air and beautiful scenery.”

“The challenge,” he said, “is to have county and local government encourage growth. When a business wants to come to Pahrump, they should be falling all over themselves to provide incentives to get them in. Pahrump is a blank slate for writing a good idea.”