Coaster proposal concerns lawmakers

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2001 | 10:42 a.m.

Two state legislators have expressed serious reservations about a roller coaster proposed by the Stratosphere that would start on the hotel's tower and cross Las Vegas Boulevard.

Sen. Bob Coffin and Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, both D-Las Vegas, joined about 75 residents at Fremont Middle School to discuss the noise the thrill ride would create in the neighborhood roughly bordered by Las Vegas Boulevard, Maryland Parkway, Oakey Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.

"I've lived within a mile of this neighborhood for the last 50 years," Coffin said. "I wish that there was some technology that would allow the ride to be done quietly. If that were possible, I think 90 percent of the objections would be erased.

"We already have the noise of helicopters flying overhead, and I have serious doubts about this proposal."

Stratosphere representatives are scheduled to propose the thrill ride to the Las Vegas Planning Commission on Sept. 6. Preliminary sketches of the ride show a J-shaped coaster that would zip passengers 750 feet down the east side of the Stratosphere tower, over Las Vegas Boulevard and up a 415-foot tower on Paradise Road. The ride would reach speeds of 120 mph.

Residents at Tuesday's meeting characterized the Stratosphere as a desperate casino looking for a new gimmick to bring people in.

Giunchigliani, whose constituents live in the area around the Stratosphere, said she doubts that the thrill ride would bring money downtown to help with redevelopment.

"The Stratosphere is at a location that has never been able to draw people from the Strip, and I don't know if it ever will," Giunchigliani said. "Redevelopment needs to be a block-by-block process down here, with businesses that the residents will service, and then the tourists will come. We don't want another eyesore or Band-Aid."

Jack Levine, president of the Southridge Neighborhood Association, asked that the residents call the Las Vegas City Council to express their opinions, and asked that the residents show up at the Planning Commission meeting.

A petition opposing the coaster was circulated to the residents and will be presented to the Planning Commission, Levine said.

Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese told the residents that he plans to keep an open mind about the project, if the Planning Commission approves the proposal and sends it to the council.

"I hope that the people from the Stratosphere come down and talk to the residents about what they want to do, and I hope that the residents attend the Planning Commission meeting to ask about their concerns," Reese said.