MGM Resorts Int'l officials were "not ready Thursday to offer a lot of details on parking and traffic plans" for their new $375M arena on the Las Vegas Strip, but MGM Senior VP & Corporate Controller Rick Arpin "promised a 'robust operations plan' for parking and traffic," according to Alan Snel of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Arpin made his promise before the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee and also offered ideas "such as pedicabs taking visitors to the arena and better signage to guide fans to the venue." He noted that because the arena is not public, MGM Resorts "does not have the green light to have arena exit signs on the interstate." Snel notes the parking and traffic plan will "likely be unveiled about four to six weeks before the arena opens in the spring." Meanwhile, Arpin said that he "expects a naming rights deal" for the arena, which will seat 17,500 for hockey and 19,500 for fight events, in "the next few months."
STADIUM ARCADIUM: UNLV Presidential Advisor for Strategic Initiatives Donald Snyder, who chaired the school's stadium board last year, told the committee that a new campus stadium "should be covered with seating for 55,000-60,000." Snel notes that is "different from the stadium board's recommendation that a new stadium be shaded (not covered) and have seating for 45,000-50,000." Both Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President & CEO Rossi Ralenkotter and LVCVA President of Events Pat Christenson said that the city is "losing out on competing for events because the market's current stadium, Sam Boyd Stadium, doesn't have enough seats." In addition, a Feld Entertainment producer for Monster Jam told the committee that Sam Boyd Stadium is "the worst stadium of the 45 stadiums used for his event" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/25).
