LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Downtown Grand isn't the first name bestowed on the property at Stewart Avenue and Third Street, but owners are hoping it sticks.
What was once Honest John's, Park Plaza and, most recently, the Lady Luck will henceforth be known as Downtown Grand. The renaming came at a Thursday ceremony where the public watched a crane lift the historic Lady Luck neon sign from one of the property's hotel towers.
"We're creating a metropolitan downtown pedestrian experience" said Seth Schorr, CEO of Fifth Street Gaming.
The rest of the signage will be removed in the coming days, owners said, as they embark on a massive renovation project to rebrand and reopen the hotel-casino.
Las Vegans have reasons to be skeptical. The Lady Luck, after all, closed in February 2006 for what was to be a one-year renovation. Instead, the property's future fell into limbo as the recession struck Las Vegas and stalled downtown's building boom.
In late 2010, a $100 million renovation was announced for the casino and two hotel towers
If the property does reopen in 2012, it would come back into play just as the city celebrates the opening of the nearby Mob Museum, new Las Vegas City Hall and Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Visitors are pleased to hear about the future of the downtown area. "I'd rather be down here than on the strip. It's much more fun for older people" said Valerie Floveck who is visiting from Denver. Her traveling companion Gregg Squire agreed. "We enjoy staying down here."
Locals who work near the soon to be Downtown Grand are also excited about their prospects for more tourist traffic. "It's a great day for us and a great day for downtown" said Mark O'Brian a bartender at Triple George Grill.
Fifth Street Gaming, which is overseeing the redevelopment plan, did not have an opening date on the calendar, but said 2012 is a possibility.
FOX5 wants to hear your thoughts on the new name and the future of downtown Las Vegas.
Send your comments to Facebook and The RANT. You can hear the responses on FOX5 News at 10.
Copyright 2011 FOX5. All rights reserved.
Chris Potts/FOX5
Chris Potts/FOX5
Chris Potts/FOX5
