Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Justin M. Bowen / File photo
The Fremont Street Experience and Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas are shown.
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 | 12:10 p.m.
CARSON CITY – Veteran casino executive Anthony F. Santo, who has gained preliminary approval to run three downtown Las Vegas casinos, said renovations are being planned for the properties.
The state Gaming Control Board on Wednesday recommended approval for Santo to manage the Plaza Hotel and Casino, the Las Vegas Club Hotel and Casino and the Western Hotel and Casino.
Santo, who is a consultant for Tamares, the landlord of the three properties, said negotiations are under way for a $20 million loan to refurbish the rooms at the Plaza and to rename it the Union Plaza.
There also will be theme changes in the Las Vegas Club, he said. He added that the Western will see fewer changes, with some possible slot machine upgrades for its mostly locals market.
During the remodeling at the Plaza, some customers will be moved to the Las Vegas Club, Santo told the board.
Santo will continue as a consultant for Tamares as he takes on his role as manager of the three casinos. Under questioning by board member Randy Sayre, Santo said he would have “no problem telling them (Tamares) that this is not their jurisdiction,” regarding the day-to-day management of the three hotel-casinos.
Santo has headed a number of large casinos in Las Vegas, Reno and outside Nevada, and his application will come up for final approval before the state Gaming Commission Aug. 19.
He acknowledged it has been a tough market not only for downtown Las Vegas but also for Strip casinos. Outside the meeting, he said there are “positive signs” in the downtown area.
The board also recommended approval for Patti Lynn Sarles Hart to be president/CEO and director at International Game Technology.
Hart said it has been a challenging economic climate and profits were down 7 percent in the third quarter of the fiscal year. But she said there were “new opportunities” in Illinois, Ohio, Italy and Greece for the company.
The board also recommended that Gaughan South, which operates at least eight sports books at various casinos, be allowed to expand into the Riverside Resort & Casino in Laughlin and the Carson Valley Inn in Minden.
The board also voted to permit Glenn C. Christenson to withdraw his application to be a director at Tropicana Entertainment Inc., in Las Vegas.
Isn't this about the fifth different plan to remodel the Tamares properties since they bought them from Jackie Gaughan in 200(3)?
Excellent news. Let's get some people back to work.
How far is $20 million going to go to fix up the Plaza? Come on now.
I would make the case that a complete gutting if not tear down is the only to go for those three properties. And The Western -- that is the most foul and digusting casino in the city, not to mention in a very dangerous area.
I hope this guy is successful in whatever he tries to do downtown. I guess it can't get much worse...
Check out my LV blog:
http://jimmyhoofa-lv.blogspot.com/
All three should be imploded. They are beyond saving. For an interesting look at the mindset of the cretins who run Vegas Club, see "Vegas Club -- Cheaters, Idiots or Both?" at: http://www.thebeargrowls.com/?p=563
I agree that 20 mil will be a band-aid fix for the Plaza. The Plaza/LV Club/Golden Gate area has great potential IMO. The owners should work with the City on improving the streetscape of the Main/Fremont area.
The Bates Hotel.
any one of the 3.
T.V.'s from the 1970's, worn out furnishings from God knows when, burn holes in the carpets that date to... hmmm...the freaking 60's???
"BUT the rooms are cheap!"
&Bedbugs bite!!!
Its a good start
Keep Downtown historic
I still do not understand why they do not use the rails to bring people in from Cali.
While they are at it, tear down that ugly canopy, and return us Fremont street!!
It's great to hear that bigger businesses are also seeing the future of Downtown, as so many small businesses are starting to do as well. Looking forward to seeing what they do!
Excellent news for Downtown Las Vegas.
I have avoided staying at the Las Vegas Club or the Plaza the last 4 years because both had deteriorated. I am thrilled that they will be refurbished.
I think the Vegas Club needs definetely an up-lift. The Plaza is a true classic, the rooms need to be remodeled, and the upper deck pool area needs a few new lounge chairs. I am a big fan of the old style Vegas casinos. Therefore, every effort to keep this neighborhood alive is a good effort.
In order to attract more players and less alcoholics and idiots, the volume and number of concerts on Fremont Street should be reduced and limited, as well as the number of vendors, painters, etc. This entire Street reminds me of a Carnival zone, and the people trying to get a rest in the evening will have problems falling asleep if the noise continues every 30 minutes or so. When I book my rooms in the downtown hotels I always stay in rooms NOT facing Fremont Street. From this point of view, the California, El Cortez and the California are great picks.
Has the Binions hotel tower re-opened or is still just the casino open?
From Switzerland
Is the Western still open? Such a gross dump, play ground for the oxygen tank crowd.
They've done gorgeous work on the Golden Nugget. Hope the good work continues! Though they need to dust off that Corvette at Fitzgerald's, it was filthy.
blow these up now! 20 million will barely pay for new sheets. come on what a joke. these places are stuck in a time warp 40 years ago. Busy for a few hours on swing shift because of the "experience" but the rest of the days are dead. These properties are disgusting--except the nuget and main street down town is an eyesore.
Yeah, let's blow these up now! Why bother renovating a perfectly good building! Destroy and start from scratch - that's a smart use of resources! I can't spell or use a shift key, but I know how people should spend their $20 million!
Hilarious.
Whatever stops the blowing up of what little of old Vegas that's left. Works for me.
The state and county should sell bonds, raise taxes and step in to revamp the whole state.
Finish Fontainebleau and Echelon and destroy these three dinosaurs.
legalize prostitution in the whole state.
Legalize all pot.
Build high speed rail to LA, arena and stadium at taxpayer expense.
Subsidized medical tourism and research.
Nevada survived depression with legal boxing, gambling and quick divorce and marriage.
California may legalize sports betting... we have to take drastic measures to compete.
I know this is off topic but if you know please enlighten me.
What? happened to the dispute between the four queens and the land lord.
Thanks
Comment removed by moderator. Off topic and personal attack.
20 mil renovation for the Plaza. Who is he kidding. Tear down the Casinos and make it into a Shopping center (Fresh and Easy )If it wasn't for the Nugget and Main St we could forget about down town.
"I still do not understand why they do not use the rails to bring people in from Cali."
They had a new "high speed" (135 MPH) train built by a European company Talgo / Transtech Oy in 1999. This was 2 years after the original train service was canceled.
U.S. SENATOR HARRY REID
invite you to
AN OPEN HOUSE
to begin our countdown to
LOS ANGELES - LAS VEGAS SERVICE
AND TOUR THE LAS VEGAS TRAIN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH (1999)
12 NOON TO 2 PM
AT THE TRACK ADJACENT TO INDUSTRIAL ROAD
AT HOTEL RIO DRIVE
http://www.trainweb.com/news/1999l01b.ht...
http://www.trainweb.com/cgi-bin/photos/s...
http://www.trainweb.com/accommod/talgo.h...
It was built. They had a celebration with Harry saying a few words. But it never went into service. It sat for 2 years and was sold off to Washington DOT. Oh. The same manufacture has another steel wheeled high speed train they want to sell to Harry.
I live downtown and am glad to see something more happening with this hotel as I go to firefly there regularly and it does need to be improved. It will be interesting to see what they do to the place.
Jijmmyhoofa and all the know it alls as you know so much you should be running one these places not writing about it on blogs and websites.
Hopefully this helps everything else going on downtown!
Vm
They should totally tear down these historic, profitable casinos and replace them with an 8 billion dollar gambling resort aimed at the wealthy and styled like an office park so they can hemmorhage away money like the big boys at MGM.
The Western is the only one of those 3 that is making money, they closed the Hotel rooms there 4 years ago but it's making a killing off the penny slots. As for the Plaza & Vegas Club, they are great places. Nice to know they will finally stop closing floors to gutting out furniture to use on the rooms that are open. But in reality, $20million would only be as good in fixing just the casino though it would be great if they used it on the Fremont Experience View Rooms. That view is a killer and the frequent guests want that view the most. They also got to get rid of the tennis and Basketball courts at the Plaza Rooftop pool and make it a Outside club with food from FireFly, like Pure does at Caesars. There is so much space up there that is being wasted and would be wonderful to turn it around to become a destination property like the Golden Nugget is.
Yeah, that's correct. VegasVampire has it all said: The tennis courts on top of the Plaza are hardly ever in use. Vers seldom I see some amateur-at-best-level players trying to exercise a bit on the court, obviously rather trying to get rid of the extra poinds they gained from the buffet than improving their tennis skills. And the little gym at the Plaza is also completely worthless, as never anybody seen in there.
I also saw that there were actually quite a lot of people playing at the Western, to my biggest surprise. Plus, the bar was completely full in the afternoon. People seem to enjoy this place. No fancy laser lights from the outside, and no waterfall or volcano, just a gaming hall full of slots and a few tables, exactly what the downtown locals want. And it seems to work. I think I was the only tourist in there when I visited that place, but it was one of the great experiences for me in Las Vegas.
From Switzerland
We have been hearing that the plaza will get 20 million in renovations ever since barrack gaming was running it. Those properties are doomed, doomed. Santos has 0 gaming experience and that is what these properties need. They will close not long after he takes them over as they will NOT be able to survive. Adios Union Plaza, Sayonara Las Vegas Club. Why doesnt gaming see this???? The only employees left at these properties are unfriendly, non english speaking Union represented employees.
Parking is a pain. The area is filled with bums and drunks. The gambling is pretty much the same as I can find elsewhere in town.
Why go downtown?
Mr. Santos is the last person on earth who should be granted a gaming license. $20M to renovate the Plaza? Put the old name back on? Skeptical is my best opinion. Oh heck, why not? Hiring top-gun Santos is worth $19.8 million; Leaves $200,000 for a VP of complimentary soap and shampoo. There, done, renovated!!!
Where are the Homeless going to be moved?
wasnt it called the union plaza before
@sandy_astroglide, Willijblythe:
Good point, Sandy, Willi, just what I was about to say, since it was always great fun at The Golden Gate and The Plaza (cool buffet).
The Plaza always reminds me of "Back To The Future, 2nd part":
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1...
And heading for Mainstreet Station to have some breakfast buffet made me think of the trilogy's third part:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1...
Regards
Banana_Joe
funny to hear people wanting these scum casinos to remain the same as they have for 40 years--they have the same stinking carpet in some of these joints as 25 years ago. Obviously most of the posters have not been to any of these properties lately or ever. Downtown is stuck in time and continues to decline---bums and lowlifes are around every corner. The bus stop area is one of the scariest places in town--at the union plaza!(for the clueless posters who have never been to the plaza) I was at the "best of the west" coin show at the plaza in jan (used to be the biggest coin show in the southwest). It was very uncomfortable walking around downtown with a lot of money and coins---weirdo's hanging out all over the place--anyways walking around downtown---the plaza, and vegas club are two of the biggest dumps in town. You open the door and the stench of spilled beer and puke fill the air--NICE. Yeah lets paint a couple walls and put some more duck tape on the gaming layouts--we can still steal some more money out of these joints.
Good Lord, all you people can do is bitch and moan and bitch and moan!! If you don't like the Plaza, Las Vegas Club or Western, then simply don't stay there or don't recommend that people stay there, but for God's sake can you simply just be quiet and thank your lucky stars that something GOOD is happening to the City of Las Vegas?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
We were on the Strat last weekend for the sky jump. We to the bar on top and ordered 3 mixed drinks and one coke, $72.00. Reminded me why i never venture far from Freakmont st. Coulda got the same drinks there, and change back from a 20. Never again...
I walked through the Western a few years ago. Even with the open front, the tobacco smoke nearly floored me.
And the bar was full when I went through - full of panhandlers that had grubbed up three bucks.
Once was enough.
I go to Fremont every time I visit Vegas and I recommend it to every person I know that visits. I love the free entertainment, people watching, drinks that aren't $18 apiece, and the way you can walk from one casino to the next without dodging insane drivers or feeling like you're taking part in the Bataan Death March. Of the dozens of people I've recommended Fremont to, I have as yet to hear anything but rave reviews. I just think $20 million should be a down payment on refreshing those 3 buildings.
Plaza has potential, don't know about the Western though.
"I've recommended Fremont to, I have as yet to hear anything but rave reviews."
Sorry to break your streak Mr Astroglide. It's a dump and here's a news flash for you:
Dumptown isn't the only place to get cheap drinks in vegas.
I didn't recommend it to you, just people who like fun.
Turn the Western into a shelter and let the freaks roaming Fremont have a place to stay...then implode it.
The area around the Plaza isn't that dangerous. Sure, I wouldn't loiter outside the bus station at 1 a.m. But I always catch the bus back to LA at 1:30 a.m. at the Greyhound station, and it's safe inside. Do you want to know where it's dangerous--the area around Echelon. Now that's scary!
@newman2:
Why do you want to turn a casino into a shelter, newman2? Please stop talking that bs. Why doesn't anybody show the homeless the way to a "Straight From The Streets" shelter, they would much more appreciate that for sure, than hanging around on the streets all day.
If your only solution is to kill people you dislike, then you're not better than any nazi.
Don't become a nazi, newman2. I hate those nazi scum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv5RXPHEn...
Do not miss the downtown parades showing much of great patriotism. Downtown is still great. Just take the Golden Nugget, the Golden Gate, the Four Queens, the Plaza, the Binions, The Fremont, the Mainstreet Station, Fitzgeralds, etc., and guess what: I do never visit one of those great downtown casinos for the wallpapaer or the fresh air inside. I visit them for great buffets, to gamble, to tip the cocktail waitress for the drink she offers me, to watch the "Fremont Street Experience", to see/watch the Rodeo, to hear those great Rat Pack impersonators sing Frank Sinatra's, Sammy's and Dino's tunes, to get back in time... without being out-of-time, but to feel timeless. Yes, that's it dude, it's magically timeless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emer28KVL...
I could never imagine a Vegas Vacation without visiting good ole downtown.
Regards
Banana_Joe
Don't IMPLODE! REFURBISH! Even though I think 20M is not enough, I certainly don't agree with tearing down these casinos (I haven't visited the Western in quite a few years), after all, 'tearing down' is the disease that has infected the Strip. Refurbish and give the Plaza its' grand old name and it (along with the California Club) could be a Downtown destination again.
We don't need anymore upscale joints... we need 'regular folk' scale; REFURBISH the (Union) Plaza and California Club!!
I hope they still allow me to bring my shopping cart full of cans into the Western after they refurbish it.
I think they should implode City Center. Even if they refurbish some older casinos downtown, are they going to fill them with those new slot machines where your minimum bet is 40 pennies?
@voicemail
Do you perhaps know that area where they built these new "container like" appartments in the old Fremont Street area. There's also a barber shop right on the street. The owner of that salon is called Sam. If you happen to go there, please say hello from Boris from Switzerland, ok? That would be great.
I definetely believe in the future of Downtown, Las Vegas. It's still something that hasn't changed in years and something that makes a special kind of people return year after year. These Hawaiians at the California and Mainstreet Station are one group, but there are also many other people returning regularly to the NUgget, El Cortez, Fremont, just because they want to stay away from the Strip for obvious reasons.
On the other side, how many hotels are there on the Strip that are as old as the Plaza? Probably just the Sahara , and perhaps the Riv? And these places have gone through several re-modeling phases through the time they exist. It's a fact that the Fitzgerald and the 4-Queens definetely should change its carpet at least once every 10 years or so. They don't have to do it all at once, but at least partially. These carpets look so old that it gives a pretty bad impression on the casinos in general. Same holds true for the Plaza, but especially for the Vegas Club. The entire rear gaming floor behind the players club is a ghost casino zone. At nights, I noticed strange people hanging around there, watching tv, not gambling, doing basically nothing that could be of the casino's interest. And as long as this situation is not being changed, it will drive away paying guests. And that's why the Vegas Club is in pretty bad shape right now.
Greetings from Switzerland
Why doesn't City Hall try to change the name of Main Street into "Las Vegas Main Street". Make it a hub to build more economical Hotel/Casino that aimed at the regular middle class. Therefore, we can link all the downtown casinos to the Stratosphere. So people can take a stroll from one casino to another, instead of having to use all these escalators and staircases to nowhere.
environprotector, why don't you ever have anything good to say on the SUN site? ALWAYS bring back 3/2, loosen the slots, give everything you gain back to the gambler, remove the clubs and pools and now take down the canopy. Its 2010 not 1982, get real. The Freemont Experience is the only thing that draws people to down town. We visit YOUR fine city every year, and we visit downtown every other year. I think if anyone wants to spend a few bucks to brighten things up down there, it will only get better.
Sunfish, I think that stupid canopy has become more trouble than it's worth. It is terribly ugly and outdated now and probably the casinos who have to make payments on it wish the canopy had never happened. I'm really sorry that the Hilton got rid of the "Star Trek" experience, especially with the success of the latest Star Trek film. Too bad they can't make the canopy disappear just as easily. It's going to be there forever, sucking up money from the downtown casinos like a loan from Sallie Mae.
We've stayed at both Plaza and VC many times and enjoyed every visit. The properties are run down true but we are rarely in our rooms anyway. All we want for a hotel is a clean room and comfortable bed and we've always gotten that at both places. We also find the staff at both places great. We get treated very well always. So I am glad to hear they are doing some renos and hoping this will help to increase business. Maybe its just a beginning. I'd much rather see these 2 stay open and continue to offer old school vegas service. What is the alternative? Implode and build another overpriced mega resort that only offers good servive to the rich? No thanks there is way too much of that in LV already and it is not working. City Centre lost some $350 million last 1/4 and is worth much less than it cost to build. A complete waste of money in my mind. But I could care less its not my money and I will celebrate when they go bankrupt. When are the people who build the megas going to figure out that its not the rich that they need to make money? Its the middle class regular returing customers. And all the side attractions that they spend billions on do not make money for them. Vegas was built on gambling and the downtown casions have that figured out. At a lot of the big resorts people barely gamble because there is so much else to do. Dont they know they are cutting their own throats. Best wishes to Plaza and LVC.