Commission delays decision on pedestrian bridge at Venetian

Scott Reeder

Thursday, Feb. 18, 1999 | 11:07 a.m.

The Clark County Commission voted Wednesday to put off for 90 days whether to allow a new pedestrian bridge that would link Treasure Island with the Venetian hotel-casino. The commission made its ruling after owners of the Rosewood Grille, next to the Venetian, objected.

"We believe this will be extremely detrimental to our business because it makes it impossible for pedestrians to avoid the Venetian, but more difficult for them to go to the Rosewood Grille," said Kevin LeWinter, an owner of the restaurant.

Some members of the commission expressed concern that the escalators on the eastern end of the bridge would bring walkers directly onto the Venetian property rather than onto the public sidewalk. The commission asked county staff to study the impact of the bridge on pedestrian travel patterns, before the commission makes a decision.

"This bridge is a slam-dunk loser," LeWinter said.

The privately funded bridge would cost $4 million and be 900 feet south of Spring Mountain Road. The new bridge also would be about 130 feet long and between 25 and 30 feet high.

A reason it would be difficult to build a bridge at the Spring Mountain Road intersection is that the lake used for the Treasure Island pirate show would interfere with its construction.

"I'm disappointed with the commission's decision. Obviously, it is something that will benefit the community. By delaying it, it means it will just take longer for the community to benefit from this," David Friedman, assistant to the chairman of the board at the Venetian, said.