Letter: Don’t count on business next to Station tower

Monday, Nov. 3, 2003 | 8:52 a.m.

Station Casinos makes an interesting argument for building a 300-foot tower in the middle of a master-planned community. Regardless of the impact that this gargantuan tower will have on views of Red Rock, another economic argument needs to be made against the tower.

Station's justification for building the tower 300 feet stems from current zoning for 250-foot buildings just east of its project. The argument is that if Station wants to be a destination resort, it needs to be able to provide its customers unobstructed views of the Strip. The 250-foot buildings are currently zoned for business. Herein lies the rub -- these buildings have not yet been built and probably never will be.

When you look across the valley, you can count on one hand buildings that fit this description. Las Vegas does not draw enough nongaming business to justify investors building towers of that size. Why would investors build a 250-foot building across the street from a 300-foot megaresort?

Inevitably this business zoning will have to be changed to something more suitable that reflects the precedent set by building a megaresort off of the Strip. For instance, another casino.

CHUCK ARKELL