Magazine cites neighbors’ battle with hotel

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

The battle between a proposed thrill ride at the Stratosphere and nearby residents has drawn national attention, one week before a decision is scheduled to be made on the ride.

June's issue of the architecture magazine Metropolis includes an article titled "Over the top," in which the writer credits neighbors living east of the Stratosphere for fighting the casino giant's plans.

The Stratosphere proposes a ride that will drop 510 feet, cross Las Vegas Boulevard on its way to a 325-foot steel tower fronting Paradise Road at speeds of up to 93 mph.

The article also takes note of the growing community: "Visitors might marvel that such a thing as a neighborhood exists in downtown Las Vegas. However, the gridwork of modest but distinctive ranch and cottage homes, dating from the 1930s and '50s, has become an attractive alternative to the check-by-jowl configurations of stucco and barrel tile that spread to the valley's fringes."

The article criticizes the Stratosphere for its tactics, including threatening to revive a plan for a previous King Kong ride and pulling out of plans to help fund a downtown monorail, calling the actions "Old Vegas arrogance."

Stratosphere representatives could not be reached for comment this morning.

Ben Contine, a resident of the Beverly Green neighborhood association, said the article lends credence to the neighbors' argument, which will be heard before the City Council June 5.