Local physician seeks solution to Yuma's entertainment void

A Yuma physician is moving forward with the development of nightlife entertainment north of the Yuma Palms Regional Center - near the site of the proposed city arena.

Dr. Kirk Minkus has been working to develop a "lifestyle complex" for the past two years. The private development could include a nightclub, restaurants, shopping, comedy and sports bars and family entertainment such as an arcade and miniature golf.

The project is backed by Minx Entertainment Complex of Yuma Investors, LLC (MEC-Y), which is managed by Minkus' father, Leslie Minkus.

Minkus, a surgical radiologist, came to Yuma from Chicago four years ago. He said he was struck by the city's lack of entertainment venues and often heard his patients and fellow doctors complain about having to travel to San Diego or Phoenix to unwind.

"There wasn't much of an infrastructure that I've seen at all," Minkus said.

He said the idea for a nightclub and enhanced dining and retail options predated the city's plan for a 6,000-seat multipurpose events center. However, when the city moved forward with that plan, Minkus said, he saw it as the perfect anchor for his project.

The arena, a $53 million project, would be built on about 30 acres north of Yuma Palms. It would be paid for by the city sales taxes generated from it and development on the 250 acres surrounding it. That area is currently vacant farmland and does not include Yuma Palms itself.

Minkus said their development is only one interested in building within the community facilities district. "It's not just going to be an arena with a lot of desert around it."

MEC-Y investors have already purchased six acres to build their complex on. Leslie Minkus said they will provide the nightclub themselves and are in talks with other possible tenants. He added that though the arena is an attractive neighbor, their project will move forward with or without it.

"Our project started out independent of the arena. We have made the decision to make the commitment to do what we're going to be doing," Leslie Minkus said.

The design by Kurt D. Reed and Associates, a Scottsdale architecture firm, will be featured at the annual International Council of Shopping Centers meeting in Las Vegas in May.

Leslie Minkus said they are proceeding slowly with the project at this stage but hope to have it operational by late 2009.

"We've continued to proceed down the road and have to move cautiously and carefully ... we are continuing to gather more interest and activities from people around the Yuma area. We're starting to proceed now with tenant acquisition."

An indoor water park resort, in development by Focus Hospitality Services' subsidiary Splash Universe, has also expressed interest in building within the entertainment district.

Yuma Mayor Larry Nelson said the MEC-Y complex, along with the arena and other development, could turn Yuma into a destination city.

"I think (the lifestyle complex) is outstanding," Nelson said. "It's something that would define that whole area and the community. The community is virtually on the precipice of moving to a destination city. Things like this will move it over and, ultimately, increase the income of the community."

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Sarah Reynolds can be reached at

sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.

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"LIFESTYLE COMPLEX" COULD INCLUDE:

A nightclub

A sports bar and live comedy

Daytime activities for families such as miniature golf and an arcade

Restaurants and retail shops