Icahn told neighbors against ride

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Nov. 9, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

An hourlong meeting on Thursday with billionaire investor and Stratosphere owner Carl Icahn did little to change the opinion of Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese, who is vehemently opposed to the prospect of a 700-foot thrill ride at the hotel.

"I just told him that with the configuration of the ride, the neighborhood wouldn't go along with it today, tomorrow or next month," Reese said.

Icahn scheduled the meeting with Reese and Mayor Oscar Goodman one day after company officials -- realizing they had no support from the council regarding the thrill ride -- asked that the application be pulled from the agenda. The council granted the request, but not before residents and Reese made it clear that they would not support the proposal in its current form.

Icahn told Reese he had several different options to consider before deciding whether to bring the proposed thrill ride -- in its current form -- back to the council.

Goodman said they were "very candid with each other," but the mayor did not elaborate.

Earlier Thursday, Goodman said Icahn discussed the possibility of building a charter school, library, or park to improve the surrounding neighborhood.

"He wants to be a good neighbor," Goodman said of Icahn.

Goodman, however, said the improvements, as long as neighbors oppose the project, would not be traded for the thrill ride in its current form.

Reese said he told Icahn that if the company insists on building a thrill ride, company officials must meet with the neighbors to alleviate their concerns.