Hotel seeks to block timeshare plan

Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997 | 9:50 a.m.

Mirage has filed a lawsuit against landowner Michael Flores, who wants to build a 150-unit, nine-story hotel on one acre of land he owns between the Mirage and Treasure Island resorts.

The Mirage filed suit against Flores, his parents, his architect and Clark County commissioners. The action comes after the commission approved plans for The Ritz Hotel and Time Share.

Mirage attorney Todd Bice said the proposed hotel is just too big for the small amount of property owned by Flores.

"The end effect will be traffic problems in our property and people using our property as a parking lot for his property," Bice said. "It's a virtual hippo in a bathtub."

Flores is the owner of the land and the 36-room Villa De Flores motel on the property.

Five years ago, Mirage officials tried to buy the parcel for $2 million and Flores held out for a higher price.

In May, Flores again tried to cash in on the parcel by auctioning it. Only two people cast bids, with Flores submitting the top bid of $3.5 million.

Bice said Flores' parents are named in the lawsuit because they are listed in legal documents as part owners of the property.

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