Condo project to follow Laughlin marina opening

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005 | 11:08 a.m.

Las Vegas isn't the only Southern Nevada city cashing in on the condo craze.

Construction is expected to begin next year on a 400-unit gated community in Laughlin following today's opening of the Laughlin Bay Marina on the Colorado River.

Most of Laughlin's leading business executives were slated to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning for the marina and Laughlin Bay Lagoon, south of the riverside casino center on the river.

Marina builder CRM Colorado River LLC said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was instrumental in opening the 32-acre waterfront to development by sponsoring legislation in 1990 to dredge the lagoon. More than 10 years later, CRM Colorado River manager Sam Wacht, based in Calabasas, Calif., acquired the property and gained approval from federal, state and local authorities to build the $300 million project.

"Thanks to Sen. Reid's foresight and vision more than 10 years ago, we are pleased to introduce the first privately owned marina with a full range of boating services and the first residential project on the river to offer these services," Wacht said in a statement.

The Laughlin Bay Marina, located on 1,250 feet of Colorado River frontage off the Needles Highway at Casino Drive south of the community's riverside casinos, has 110 boat slips in the lagoon, dry storage and maintenance facilities for an additional 120 boats, fuel services, a three-lane launch ramp, a lighted boardwalk, a restaurant, store and bar.

The marina also has a sandy beach and swimming area.

Next year, construction is scheduled to begin on The Landing at Laughlin Bay Marina, a gated residential community on the river with 400 condominiums and townhouses planned in two-story and trilevel configurations. Five-story condominium units and duplexes overlooking the marina also are planned.

A clubhouse including a fitness center, community pool and spa is expected to be completed later this year. Barbecue facilities and fire pits also are slated to be built.