Las Vegas officials are "working on a plan to help deliver a new downtown soccer stadium by packaging the soccer venue with four possible park projects and a parking garage" under a $45.7-50.7M bond proposal, according to Alan Snel of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Parks were "included in the new funding plan after many residents voiced concerns that hotel room tax revenues that were used to pay for city parks projects would be re-directed to help pay" for the $200M, 24,000-seat stadium. City Manager Betsy Fretwell said that the "private developers -- the partnership of The Cordish Cos. and Findlay Sports & Entertainment -- would still assume most of the financial risk of the stadium." City Council member Bob Beers said that Las Vegas "would still borrow" $46-50M, by paying $3M annually for 30 years. Findlay-Cordish would "have access to the garage for stadium events, while the parking facility would also meet existing parking needs and future development in Symphony Park" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 11/6).
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY: USA TODAY's David Leon Moore notes Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and MLS execs think the city is "poised to become not only the sports betting capital of the country but also a destination for live pro sports." But there are "plenty of naysayers who think Las Vegas isn't ready to support a major franchise." NFL Senior VP/Communications Greg Aiello said Las Vegas is "not something we are focused on at this time." Moore notes MLB and NBA teams in past years have "been rumored to be interested in a move to Las Vegas, but those talks never got serious, and the lack of a suitable stadium or arena was one of the reasons." NHL VP/Media Relations Frank Brown and MLB Senior VP/PR Pat Courtney said that their leagues were "not looking to have a team in Las Vegas." NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, "While we have no plans to expand, Las Vegas continues to be a great host for our summer league." But Moore notes despite "some doubters, there are optimists, and they are building." MGM Resorts and AEG "launched a joint construction project on The Strip in May" for a $375M, 20,000-seat arena. Execs of the project said that it "will open in 2016 and does not need an NBA or NHL team to succeed." Former NBAer Jackie Robinson also said that he has "secured financing" to begin a $1.4B project on The Strip that includes a 22,000-seat arena and a hotel -- "but no gaming" (USA TODAY, 11/6).
