Strip restaurant wins delay in battle over bridge

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, June 17, 1999 | 11:03 a.m.

Rosewood Grille owners took another step Wednesday to prevent their successful restaurant from being suffocated by massive hotel-casinos when they convinced Clark County commissioners to put a proposed pedestrian bridge on hold.

Restaurant owners Alan and Kevin LeWinter said they need time to submit variance requests that will protect the future of their 40-year-old restaurant.

Mirage Resorts Inc. and the Venetian plan to build a footbridge linking their properties. The resorts must be granted a variance because the bridge would be located 900 feet south of the intersection of Spring Mountain Road and Las Vegas Boulevard rather than at the corner.

The Venetian and Rosewood Grille, both located on the east side of the Strip, had hinted they had reached an agreement that would appease the restaurant's concerns that visitors would be plucked off the sidewalk before they reach the eatery.

But John Moran Jr., representing the Rosewood, said Wednesday that was never the case.

"We haven't worked anything out," Moran said. "They haven't offered us anything but to put signs on the pedestrian bridge pointing to the Rosewood Grille."

Moran said the hotels' current bridge design shows the structure obstructing views of the restaurant's main sign. He is also concerned that construction of the bridge might interfere with Rosewood Grille's plans to expand and add a parking garage.

Battles between the restaurant, which sits on an 89-foot-wide lot, and the hotel have been ongoing since Las Vegas Sands Inc. decided to build the 3,036-suite Venetian, which opened in May.

The Venetian, which abuts the Rosewood Grille on three sides, took the restaurant to court after owners refused to allow the resort to remove power poles that stood in the construction area. It eventually was permitted to move the poles.

The resorts and the restaurant must prove legal hardships to be granted variances. Restaurant owners say their hardship is the fact their parcel size is so small. The hotels have contended they cannot build a bridge at the corner of Spring Mountain and the Strip because the touchdown area would interfere with Treasure Island's pirate show.

Commissioners urged planners to expedite the Rosewood Grille's variance applications.