Las Vegas Metro Development News

[desertpunk]

LVR-J

Golden Gate plans expansion

By Benjamin Spillman
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Posted: Sep. 14, 2011 | 2:00 a.m.
Updated: Sep. 14, 2011 | 10:56 a.m.



Las Vegas' oldest hotel is looking to become the freshest face on Fremont Street.

The downtown Golden Gate hotel-casino recently filed plans with the city for a major expansion and renovation of the property at Fremont and Main streets where it first opened as a hotel in 1906.

The expansion seeks to blast through the south wall of the existing building to add a five-story structure with 16 new hotel suites, including two 1,600-square-foot suites that will occupy the top floor.

Owners would also move and modernize the existing deli, move the hotel lobby to the new structure and expand the casino floor.

The $12 million proposal would be the fifth major hotel-casino renovation in the area of Fremont Street since the beginning of the Great Recession, a period marked by stalled projects and shuttered casinos on the Strip.

Downtown, the Golden Nugget, El Cortez, Gold Spike and Plaza have also made big upgrades in recent years.

[...]

[skyscraperhighrise]

Las Vegas is still cool.

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Transworld Business

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort Goes All In On Expansion
By Mike Lewis
Transworld Business
Wed, Aug 31 2011 4:00 am

Besides partying and gambling, Las Vegas will soon be known for its riding. The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort announced that the Humoldt-Toiyabe National Forest Service has accepted its Master Development Plan (MDP) to improve the resort over a ten to twelve year span.

Included in the MDP are additions to the area including adding 50 trials and ten lifts, increasing snowmaking capacity and parking, upgrading equipment, and adding guest facilities, all of which will be designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environment certificates.

We caught up with Kevin Stickelman, LVSSR’s president and general manager to learn more about the resort’s plans to grow the mountain into a major attraction for Sin City and beyond, and lessons in navigating Forest Service approval.

I understand that the overall development plan is slated to take place over the next 10-12 years. Can you break down what the schedule will look like?

What you’ll see first is some infrastructure replaced. That includes chair lifts that are reaching the end of their life span. The first is to be replaced by a high-speed quad that’s now a double. That lift would service the main terrain load and skier load for our expansion. Once that lift goes in, you’ll see some additional trails cut that are accessible off our existing chair lifts. We’re in the process right now of working with the Forest Service in identifying which trails come first, second and third, just based of our terrain capacity that’s outlined in our master plan.

There will also be some immediate snowmaking upgrades prior to this season. We’re looking at installing some higher efficiency guns, running electrical service to some areas that have only been serviced by air and water in the past, so that we can put some fan guns in those places for better early season snow conditions. You’ll see expanded outdoor seating and patio area with a bigger capacity grill and things like that for our guests. That’s one of the things that Vegas has here at this ski area is the outdoor atmosphere. The days are mostly blue skies with decent temperatures…winter high is in the upper 20’s. You can have a burger and beer on the deck and it’s a great experience. We’re also, prior to this coming ski season, installing a couple yurts to house ski school programs. It’s about 1400 sq. ft. of space for our kid’s ski and snowboard school. It gives them a better check-in areas and an area to house rental skis/snowboards for that program.

We’ll see some terrain park upgrades this year—some additional features put in which would have happened even without the master plans acceptance, but the snowmaking upgrades will definitely enhance the terrain park experience here on the mountain this season. It’s going to be great and that’s one of our huge focuses going forward. We’ve seen a lot of success these past two years with grassroots park and slopestlye and rail jam events. We’ve got four main events coming up this winter. It was a pretty good party last year. Coors Light and Monster sponsored it. It drew several hundred spectators and cash prizes. We’re looking for that event to really grow. It’s Vegas-the nightlife here is huge and to be able to have something on the snow in the winter is big with the local ski and snowboard crowd.

It seems like there’s a pretty decent scene in Las Vegas on the snowboarding side for sure.

Totally.

How long have you guys been working on the MDP?

The master plan has been in the works since Powdr Corp. acquired the area in 2003. We really got to the nuts and bolts of it in 2007 with the preliminary submission to the Forest Service, which came back with a number of things that we needed to go back to the drawing board on. Those things included: looking at the parking plan—we’ve added some mass transit into the plan that we actually started a couple of years ago.

So, shuttles up from Vegas?

Yea, shuttles out of Vegas…and some other parking areas down the road a bit that we’ll include in this. We also had to take a look at our base facilities and where we’d locate those. The Forest Service has asked that we design our buildings to LEED standards, which is something that’s a best practice anyway. We were happy to make that change.

Having LEED certified buildings is good marketing for you guys as well right?

It was a good thing to hang our hat on for sure. We also had to look at some of the sensitive plant and animal species that are here at the mountain and come up with mitigation, re-vegetation, species/habitat protection.

What are you going to do about that?

So, well one of the things is that we’ve avoided in this master plan a couple of the habitat locations for the Mt. Charleston Blue Butterfly-which is a very rare species of blue butterflies that just happen to occur here in the Spring Mountains outside of Las Vegas. Then there are a couple areas that are on the existing ski area that we’ve avoided from development, whether it’s mountain biking trails or hiking trails or additional snowmaking. We’ve changed some of our things to just stay out of those areas. And then some of those areas the other areas, what we’ve done is suggested a re-vegetation plan that looks at re-vegetating the areas that we’ve disturbed for ski trails, the lifts, snow making, etc… with some of the native plants specifies that encourage the butterfly habitat up here on the mountain.

How many skier-days did you guys do last year? What’s your goal going forward with this?

You know, we wont release that…but we do expect that this master plan will at least double, if not triple, our skier visits over the next 12 years or so. We’ve seen a pretty decent growth in local season pass sales, year over year over the past several years. Last year was great. We saw an 8% increase in season pass sales. We expect that trend to continue as we continue to market to the college demographic.

Is that your primary focus then, on the local community or are you guys also going to be expanding into more of a destination resort with the expansion?

It’ll be a combination of both. The population base in Vegas is two-million people. We’ve got a tremendous upside potential there to expand our season pass base and engage local families and local kids up here, but right now every year for the last five years 25-30% of our visits have come from outside of southern Nevada. We see a lot of people coming up here who are on a week-long trip to Vegas for the casinos, gambling and shows and all of that, who are looking for something to do during the days when they’re not down at the shows or having a fancy dinner.

We’re not ever going to be a Copper Mountain or Park City, but we could be a pretty solid regional destination. Our competition last year spoke to that. We had a lot of people driving in for our slopestlye competitions from southern California from Utah from AZ. We had decent purses as far as rewards went and our park got really good exposure. We’ve tried to put emphasis on that. Outside of the event draw is just the novelty to ski in the desert outside Las Vegas for the people who are here on vacation.

It’s about a 40 minute drive from the Strip. It’s easy to get to…it’s just one highway you take right from downtown.

Any advice for resorts or companies looking at submitting applications to the Forest Service?

Embrace the public lands and mission that they have, which is to provide recreation to the public. That was really one of the hang-ups that we suffered. Over the course of the last several years, we’ve learned the lesson the hard way. We were trying to do things that didn’t always fit with the overall mission of the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, which is where we sit. Eevery region, every forest, has a little bit different mission and recreation plan. We involved those guys in our master plan discussions. We had meetings in their office even, where we could get the stakeholders of the Forest Service involved and talking through some of these problems so that we weren’t trying to invent these solutions on our own.

A lot of times, a master plan process is invented by the ski area and you cross your fingers and wait for the approval. We took a little different strategy and involved those federal agencies, and they were with us every step of the way going through the different revision and descriptions and how things were worded. We relied on some of their resources as far as their botanists and ecologists to guide and steer us into the right direction. At the end of the day, we’ve got a plan in place now that will be really the cornerstone of recreation here at the Spring Mountains.

Read More: http://business.transworld.net/71591...-on-expansion/

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Las Vegas Sun

DesertXpress hopes for federal loan, aims for 2012 start on work
By Cy Ryan (contact)
Las Vegas Sun
Monday, Oct. 10, 2011 | 1:55 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Officials with the proposed high-speed train linking Las Vegas and Southern California expect to get an answer in six to nine months on plans to borrow about $6 billion from the federal government.

If all goes according to plan, construction would start in the final quarter of 2012, said Andrew Mack, chief operating officer of DesertXpress. Mack briefed the state transportation board Monday on the private-public project that he says has been in development for 10 years.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said the high-speed rail plans have been rejected in two other states and questioned whether it would survive in Nevada.

Mack said the other states were planning to use federal stimulus money, and if the project failed, the states would have assumed responsibility. In this case, the federal government would be loaning the money, so if the project went bankrupt, the government would take over the train. The state wouldn't have responsibility.

He told the board that $34 billion in federal funds were available to finance rail projects across the country.

The proposed train from Victorville, Calif., to Las Vegas would run at 150 mph and cover 185 miles in 80 minutes. During peak periods, there would be trains leaving each location every 20 minutes.

In Las Vegas there are two potential depots – one south of Flamingo Road and the other on 60 acres across from Mandalay Bay. Mack said the route would run along Interstate 15.

Board members questioned why Victorville was selected instead of running the all-electric train into Los Angeles. Mack said there would be added expense and environmental issues by extending it to the city.

He added that 11 million motorists visiting Las Vegas use Interstate 15 in the area that runs through Victorville.

He said 45,000 questionnaires were distributed at the California agriculture border station and there was a 5 percent response rate, with an estimated 85-90 percent saying they would try the train.

He projects 7 million passengers would use the train during the first year and construction would generate about 80,000 jobs. Of that, 17,500 would be direct work in Las Vegas.

DesertXpress would be a fully electric train with overhead lines powering it. Mack said the utilities have enough capacity to supply the electricity. It wouldn't carry freight.

The project could be completed in the final quarter of 2016, Mack said.

Read More: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011...2012-start-wo/

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Las Vegas Sun

Proposed DesertXpress high-speed rail line chugging along
By Richard N. Velotta
Las Vegas Sun
26 October 2011

A proposed high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California has received another federal government approval from a board that grants licenses to build new railroads.

The Surface Transportation Board last week approved an exemption from federal regulations permitting DesertXpress Enterprises LLC to build a 190-mile high-speed passenger rail line between Las Vegas and Victorville, Calif. The board action was published today in the Federal Register.

“I’m pleased that the DesertXpress project is getting the green light to proceed, which will not only put tens of thousands of Nevadans to work, but ultimately bring more tourists to boost Nevada’s economy,” Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a release applauding the approval.

“I look forward to Nevadans being back on the job and more visitors from California choosing Las Vegas because of this high-speed rail option,” Reid said.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration issued a record of decision — the final environmental review process — in July. The Surface Transportation Board exemption was another required administrative step toward beginning construction, probably next year.

Representatives of DesertXpress did not return calls seeking comments on additional details of its plans.

The Surface Transportation Board reviewed environmental implications of the project and the company’s financial and ridership analyses.

The company plans to operate trains traveling at 150 mph on dual tracks. The board decision lists the cost of the project at $6.5 billion, an increase from the $6 billion estimates previously given by DesertXpress.

The company is pursuing a $4.9 billion federal loan to build the line.

Read More: http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2011/oc...eed-rail-line/

[Nino_B]

Anyone heard anything about The Plaza Las Vegas project going forward anytime soon?

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/the-plaza.htm

[skyscraperhighrise]

Originally Posted by Nino_B

Anyone heard anything about The Plaza Las Vegas project going forward anytime soon?

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/the-plaza.htm

I Hope they build it soon.

[desertpunk]

Originally Posted by Nino_B

Anyone heard anything about The Plaza Las Vegas project going forward anytime soon?

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/the-plaza.htm

Scrapped.

[SJM]

Well that sucks, i think vegas is starting to move away from themed copycat stuff and we'll see more of the type of things like the buildings at city center.

[desertpunk]

Las Vegas City Hall nears completion:


http://www.lasvegas360.com/304/downt...symphony-park/

[desertpunk]

Smith Center for the Performing Arts is nearing completion:


http://www.lasvegas360.com/304/downt...symphony-park/

[desertpunk]

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Center is open:


http://www.lasvegas360.com/304/downt...symphony-park/

[desertpunk]

The new North Las Vegas City Hall


http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011...t-open-nov-21/

[Jim856796]

1. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Hilton Worldwide confirmed on June 29, 2011 that it has terminated its franchise license agreement with the Las Vegas Hilton, effective January 1, 2012. This means now the Las Vegas Hilton (the original megaresort of Las Vegas) will have to rebrand after then. I wouldn't be in favor of getting rid of the Hilton, though.

2. The Sahara Hotel and Casino closed in May 2011. It is planned to be remodelled, renamed, and rethemed. I have thought about the entire resort being demolished and all towers being imploded.

3. I have also thought about the Riviera Hotel being demolished and replaced with a new hotel with twin 43- storey towers.

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Las Vegas Sun

Water park near Summerlin selling tickets as construction under way
By Jackie Valley (contact)
Las Vegas Sun
Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 | 3:56 p.m.

The developers of a water park on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley started selling advance season tickets today for Splash Canyon, 25 acres of slides and pools expected to draw 5,000 people a day.

The park is under construction and is targeted to open Memorial Day 2012.

“As third-generation natives, we really wanted to build something that was for the community, for families,” said Roger Bulloch, co-founder and managing principal of SPB Partners, the developer and owner. “As we started this process, we said, ‘What can we do to rebuild a sense of community in this valley?’”

Their answer: a family-friendly, alcohol-free water play zone featuring 20 slides, a wave pool, lazy river, water playground and toddler pool, among other amenities.

Daily admission to Splash Canyon Waterpark will range from $22 to $30, with season passes available for as little as $99 on special.

Since the old Wet ’n Wild water park on the Las Vegas Strip closed in 2004, some people have been clamoring for a new park.

In the last week, major developments have been announced on two parks.

Another developer is now proposing a 22-acre park in Henderson, near Galleria Drive and Gibson Road. Financing for that project has not been secured, but the Henderson Planning Commission on Thursday granted a conditional use permit.

And if all goes well, SPB envisions opening other water parks across the valley, Bulloch said. It has already looked at potential sites in Henderson and North Las Vegas, he said.

The $18-million Splash Canyon at Fort Apache and Warm Springs roads is fully financed and will employ about 500 seasonal workers.

In addition to the plethora of thrill options — seven-story speed slides or the head-first mat racer — the park will feature private cabanas, a large picnic area, more than 1,000 lounge chairs and misters to keep customers cool.

The project is a partnership with The Howard Hughes Corp., the developers of Summerlin who own the land originally designated for a community park. SPB Partners signed a long-term lease with Hughes, which, in turn, will build an adjacent community park and indoor aquatics center as part of the project master plan.

Design and engineering, meanwhile, is under way for an eventual 15-acre expansion of the water park, bringing the total size to 40 acres, Bulloch said.

SPB Partners began working on the project more than two years ago, enlisting the help of other water park developers, conducting feasibility studies and making site views.

Harvest Family Entertainment, a Dallas-based company that oversees other water parks, invested in the project and will manage Splash Canyon.

Developers see the attraction as a “sanctuary for moms with young kids,” while providing a venue for community groups all year, Bulloch said.

“We want this to be a locals water park,” he said. “We want the entire valley to come here. That’s why we put it here. We’re 20 minutes from everywhere in the valley.”

Despite the recession, attendance has increased at other water parks operated by Harvest Family Entertainment, said Steve Mayer, vice president of Harvest Family Entertainment and general manager of Splash Canyon.

“In the end, people still want to have good fun with (their) family,” Mayer said. “Also, it’s a way to stay close to home.”

Mayer said he expects Splash Canyon to attract about 5,000 visitors a day, resulting in upwards of 400,000 customers each season. Splash Canyon will be open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.

Season tickets went on sale today with a special $99 rate for a limited time. Regular season passes will cost $139 per person, with daily admission of $29.99 for those over 4 feet tall. Admission for children under 4 feet tall, seniors (55+) and military members will be $21.99.

Tickets can be purchased through the Splash Canyon Waterpark website.

Read More: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/14/summerlin/

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Las Vegas Sun

DesertXpress project takes another step forward
By Richard N. Velotta (contact)
Las Vegas Sun
18 November 2011
11:58 a.m.

A third federal government agency has given a stamp of approval for a high-speed rail project between Las Vegas and Victorville, Calif.

The Bureau of Land Management on Thursday issued a record of decision for the DesertXpress Enterprises LLC passenger rail line in Clark County and San Bernardino County, Calif.

The decision authorizes the use of right of way to build the line on public land administered by the BLM.

The DesertXpress project received similar approvals from the Surface Transportation Board in October and from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration in July.

The BLM determined that about 821 acres of public land would be needed for the permanent right of way. An additional 95 acres would be needed for temporary construction use. The project also includes about 2,800 acres of private land.

DesertXpress plans to begin engineering and construction next year on the 185-mile double track that would run along Interstate 15.

The company plans to operate trains traveling at 150 mph, with ticket costs averaging $50 per passenger one way.

The company is pursuing a $4.9 billion federal loan to build the $6.5 billion project.

Read More: http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2011/no...-step-forward/

[desertpunk]

LV Business Press

CONSTRUCTION 2012: Not much on the drawing board
Glut of vacancies means rut will continue for construction industry


The unfinished Fontainebleau tower on the north end of the Strip is pictured Dec. 9. The hotel-casino was originally scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009

Recovery in the construction industry will be slow and gradual, with little progress expected in 2012 as Las Vegas struggles with oversupply in both commercial and residential sectors and stalled development on the Strip.

At no time in Las Vegas history have the challenges confronting construction been greater than today, said Jeremy Aguero, an economic analyst at business advisory firm Applied Analysis. Commercial vacancies are running at a record high, new-home sales are at a record low and some 72,000 construction workers have lost their jobs in the last three years.

Unfortunately, that may only be a harbinger of challenges ahead, Aguero said. There's no better example of the nation's economic imbalance than the construction sector in Southern Nevada, he said. "What is abundantly clear is that we built too many houses, office buildings, industrial parks and retail centers," Aguero said. "What is much less clear is how this sector regains solid footing."

[...]


The steel-and-concrete structure of what was to be the Echelon mixed-use project is shown Dec. 12. The stalled Echelon was to sit on the former site of the Stardust.


The new Las Vegas City Hall building at 425 S. Main St. is seen Dec. 9. Although the building is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2012, Las Vegas has little new construction.


The unfinished Wyndham time share building on Twain Avenue near the Rio is seen Dec. 9. Because permits remain active for the project, an observer thinks work will get finished.

[Mudhen419]

can anyone tell my why mgm grand redid the entrance a while back? the entrance where you walked under the lion was awesome and i always wondered why this was changed...

[SteveO]

Chinese are very superstitious. Bad luck to walk through the mouth of a lion.

[Mudhen419]

you cant tell me they changed it just cause of a chinese superstition