Where I Stand 1971— Hank Greenspun: Union Plaza adds more than just a new address

Friday, Dec. 1, 2000 | 11:13 a.m.

Note to readers: This column by Sun founder Hank Greenspun appeared on June 4, 1971.

Agood name is better than riches. A good address is almost as good.

There's now a No. 1 Main St. in Las Vegas, which may come as a surprise to all the old-timers who have always identified with North Main and South Main, but never just Main Street.

For those who may require more specific directions, No. 1 Main is dead center between North and South Main at the foot of Fremont Street.

And if even more preciseness is needed to find one's way around, look for a new towering structure that should present a fairly good view of the city, supplanting the old view that was once provided from the one-story Union Pacific Railroad Station.

So what's in an address?

It's not so much "what" as "who."

At No. 1 Main, there has risen the Union Plaza Hotel, the latest addition to our sparkling roster of pleasure palaces and vacation spas.

And while the address may not be familiar, the names of those associated with the Union Plaza are generally well-known to all who have spent more than a day or two in the area.

I was present at a meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission when they read off the names of the applicants to be licensed at the Union Plaza and it was almost a Blue Book of Las Vegas and its principal industry.

This was one application that went through smoothly and quickly with nary a frown from the commissioners who just got through raking another group of possibly more affluence but not eminence in the gaming business.

There can be no problems with names like Sam and Bill Boyd, J. Kell Houssels Jr., Frank Scott, Jackie Gaughan, Mike Shapiro, Jim West, Walter Zick and some others associated with them.

These are pioneer names of the industry and town, men who have been active and prominent in every phase of civic activity, as well as the gaming industry. I don't believe a single man was questioned.

At the same time three Howard Hughes proxy holders were having a hard time with the commission.

The Plaza group didn't have any problems because they know the gaming business, its laws, regulations and policies. They understand the benefits and the perils and all the little nuances that can bring untold riches or jeopardize the entire industry.

Maybe the commissioners weren't too sure about the other applicants. Although they represent unlimited wealth, it appears they aren't accustomed to the ways of the industry, the culture that sustains it and the immense amount of effort that went into building and preserving it.

Most of us have been careful not to knock the hell out of it with a word, deed or intemperate statement because one large blunder and all are affected.

Unlike the Control Board, the Gaming Commission is charged with the responsibility of maintaining the integrity and reputation of the state's principal industry, and that's the reason for the policy of personal appearances for all owners and key operators.

That's why the men of the Plaza are so unique. The commission knows there isn't one among them who would do anything to jeopardize their own project, or anyone else's anywhere in the state.

Sam Boyd and his associates have built an exotic structure where once stood a rinky-dink railroad station. It provides a lovely view without and a good image within.

The image builders are the men of the Plaza who have not only built a hotel-casino but have helped build a community and contributed to its well-being along the way. They are the mainstays of the chamber of commerce, the trade and professional associations, the charities and innumerable civic betterment programs.

They laid a firm foundation and didn't come suddenly charging in on wings of mystery and suspicion and start raising Cain. They made their contribution first by taking over faltering places and built them into profitable enterprises employing many people.

The Sahara, Mint, Tropicana, Flamingo, International, El Cortez and even the old Las Vegas Club have in large and small measure been touched by these men and given a start on the road to success.

And most of them took interests and made investments before the places were built so they are builders as well as operators.

Frank Scott and Walter Zick have names synonymous with building in Las Vegas, as a contractor, supplier, developer and architect, so their association with those of the gaming industry is beneficial.

It takes a special kind of knowledge to operate a gaming resort. It takes a peculiar breed of man to withstand all the pressures found in the gaming business and to operate it and keep it clean.

So the Sam Boyds and Kell Houssels and Jackie Gaughans and Mike Shapiros and Jim Wests should never have problems with any regulatory agency of the state because their motives and purposes are parallel.

To build and industry and keep it clean and productive.

The men of the Union Plaza have shown additional faith in the industry and the town. We hope it is justified beyond all their beliefs and plans.