Triple Five abandons Spring Valley casino plan

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 | 11:32 a.m.

If a state law that created gaming enterprise zones is going to be challenged and changed, it won't be by a developer that had planned a major casino project for the residential Spring Valley area in southwest Las Vegas.

Triple Five Nevada Development Corp., which applied to build the resort at West Flamingo Road and Grand Canyon Drive, declined to file an appeal to a lower court ruling against the $300 million, 300-room project -- thus killing it.

Last year, District Judge Ron Parraguirre upheld a unanimous decision by a review panel of the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee, denying the casino that was opposed by Spring Valley residents. Triple Five attorneys had considered an appeal to state and federal courts.

"My client decided not to go forward with the expense of further litigation," Five Star attorney Stan Hunterton said today, noting the 30-day limit for filing an appeal ran out on Tuesday. "My client will go back to building shopping centers, which is what it does."

Asked if the project could be resurrected at another location, Hunterton said, "sure, but the same legal hurdles would still be there (gaming enterprise zones). Maybe some other developer will challenge it to the Supreme Court."

The County Commission approved the resort last January, sparking a flap that helped lead to the primary defeat of Commissioner Lance Malone, who was portrayed in political ads as flip-flopping after changing his position and supporting the casino. His opponent, Republican Chip Maxfield, eventually defeated Democrat Lois Tarkanian in the general runoff.

Gaming enterprise zones were established in 1997 in response to a state law aimed at halting further development of so-called neighborhood casinos, major resorts built in heavy residential areas away from the casino corridors.

Triple Five's 110-acre project was to be purchased and operated by Boyd Gaming Corp., operator of Sam's Town, the Stardust and several downtown casinos. Triple Five and Boyd were in the process of being the first challengers to the state gaming zone law.