Nevada redevelops former manganese mine into residential community

The City of Henderson Redevelopment Agency is transforming the former Three Kids Mine in Nevada into a large residential community. Developers have opened Greenbow Park, a 3.5-acre recreational area, as part of the Aries master-planned community.

The site has a long history of industrial use, with manganese ore discovery occurring in 1917. Mining operations took place intermittently between 1942 and 1961 to meet demands for steel production and military equipment during World War II.

After operations stopped in 1961, the site remained contaminated with lead, arsenic, manganese, and petroleum residues from processing waste and tailings ponds. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection oversaw an extensive cleanup program to prepare the land for housing. The agency estimated the remediation cost at approximately $257.5 million. While the overall property covers around 1,165 acres, the specific area affected by former mining operations spans approximately 410 acres.

Major cleanup activities began in May 2024 following a land transfer completed in February 2024. The redevelopment plans include more than 3,000 homes across 24 neighborhoods. Greenbow Park provides the community with pickleball courts, playgrounds, and over 3,000 feet of walking trails. While a local redevelopment director stated that remediation work is finished, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection still lists the cleanup as an ongoing project on its official project page.