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Hoop Dreams? City OKs Arena Proposal
Mayor Hoping To Lure Professional Sports Team
POSTED: 1:15 pm PST November 4,
2009
UPDATED: 11:05 pm PST November 4,
2009
LAS VEGAS -- Somewhere on an 18-acre patch of downtown land, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is hoping he’ll someday cut the ribbon at the opening of a new sports arena.Video: 
Goodman OKs New Las Vegas ArenaIt’s been his dream for nearly three terms and took a small step toward becoming a reality Wednesday, when the city council agreed to an exclusive development deal with the Cordish Companies.“From my perspective this is the tipping point. This is what will take us form being a great city to a world-class city,” Goodman said.Cordish, builders of the Hard Rock resort in Tampa and the Center City District in downtown Louisville, Ken., will study the feasibility of building a 20,000-seat arena and entertainment plaza downtown, on a patch of land that includes city hall.“We’re counting on you because this is our dream to have this kind of venue in the heart and soul of the whole valley here,” Goodman told Cordish representatives.Survey: Do You Support A Downtown Sports Arena?However, the “if you build it, they will come,” approach is no guarantee the city will be able to woo a professional sports franchise to southern Nevada.History has already proven that theory wrong.Consider Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Before it was home to the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and Major League Baseball's Rays, it sat dormant for a year before finally luring an Arena Football Franchise in 1991.The last thing Goodman wants to see is another vacant building downtown, especially one that seats 20,000 people.The Lightning franchise didn't arrive in Florida until two years later, and in the decade that followed the stadium needed more than $70 million in renovations as teams came and went.Some economists have said Las Vegas will be last in line to rebound from the recession, which begs the question, is Cordish ready to make the financial commitment?“I’m hesitant to throw out a number because I don’t want it to be incorrect,” said Cordish representative Port Telles when asked about the price tag.Telles also did not say how long the study would take to complete.There have been few willing to gamble on new property in downtown Las Vegas. Some established hotels, including the Golden Nugget and El Cortez, have added new towers.Only time will tell if the Cordish proposal becomes reality, but it’s always nice to dream.Related Stories: October 28, 2009: Goodman Stirs Buzz Over Vegas Sports Arena September 23, 2009: One Month Later, ‘TIME’ Talks Hope For Vegas July 17, 2009: Is Vegas Last In Line For Economic Rebound? June 18, 2009: Vegas Mob Museum To Be Delayed April 6, 2009: Could NHL Team Be In Works For Vegas?
Goodman OKs New Las Vegas ArenaIt’s been his dream for nearly three terms and took a small step toward becoming a reality Wednesday, when the city council agreed to an exclusive development deal with the Cordish Companies.“From my perspective this is the tipping point. This is what will take us form being a great city to a world-class city,” Goodman said.Cordish, builders of the Hard Rock resort in Tampa and the Center City District in downtown Louisville, Ken., will study the feasibility of building a 20,000-seat arena and entertainment plaza downtown, on a patch of land that includes city hall.“We’re counting on you because this is our dream to have this kind of venue in the heart and soul of the whole valley here,” Goodman told Cordish representatives.Survey: Do You Support A Downtown Sports Arena?However, the “if you build it, they will come,” approach is no guarantee the city will be able to woo a professional sports franchise to southern Nevada.History has already proven that theory wrong.Consider Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Before it was home to the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and Major League Baseball's Rays, it sat dormant for a year before finally luring an Arena Football Franchise in 1991.The last thing Goodman wants to see is another vacant building downtown, especially one that seats 20,000 people.The Lightning franchise didn't arrive in Florida until two years later, and in the decade that followed the stadium needed more than $70 million in renovations as teams came and went.Some economists have said Las Vegas will be last in line to rebound from the recession, which begs the question, is Cordish ready to make the financial commitment?“I’m hesitant to throw out a number because I don’t want it to be incorrect,” said Cordish representative Port Telles when asked about the price tag.Telles also did not say how long the study would take to complete.There have been few willing to gamble on new property in downtown Las Vegas. Some established hotels, including the Golden Nugget and El Cortez, have added new towers.Only time will tell if the Cordish proposal becomes reality, but it’s always nice to dream.Related Stories: Copyright 2009 by KVVU.com. All rights reserved.
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