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Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Cost and location plans for a domed, 60,000-seat “mega-event” stadium on the UNLV campus are coming into sharper focus two months before a review by the university system’s Board of Regents. With a traffic study for the joint venture of UNLV and Majestic Realty Co. still being completed, sources place the stadium at the site of the current UNLV baseball facility, north of Harmon Avenue and east of Swenson Street. The baseball field would be moved south, between Harmon and Tropicana avenues. The stadium’s cost is estimated around $800 million, with about one-third, or about $270 million, coming from long-term ...
UNLV
4505 Maryland Parkway Las Vegas,
NV 89154
Sun Sports Editor Ray Brewer contributed to this story.
The financials are very optimistic. They even admit costs will rise, so who is on the hook for those raises or revenue shortfalls?
I am very concerned at revenue projections, those numbers are at the very favorable to ideal spectrum. If those numbers are off 10% and costs over run by $100m, who will pick up the $200m budget shortfall?
Colorado State University just announced today that it was moving forward to replace it's off-campus stadium with a new on-campus stadium. They too acknowledge the importance of putting the stadium on campus as it would attract recruits, students and further inhance the student atmosphere.
We don't have a choice but to move forward with this. The competition for recruits and students is vital to UNLV and this will enhance the campus further.
In before someone says the words boondoggle, traffic, or taxes.
Oh and also in before someone complains about money being spent on sports instead of academia.
@rebelheart
No one is against the development, but it has to be paid for with a well thought out plan.
My concern is that the costs spiral, the revenue doesn't materialize and UNLV is left cutting programs to make up the deficit or runs to taxpayers to write the checks.
Wanting something and paying for something are not always compatible.
Normally I am against stadiums being built with tax payer money. However, I am for this one as the Silver Bowl is a mess and it WILL help UNLV students foster a sense of community.
First,I am along with most people of this board concerned about the GUARANTEED cost overruns. Secondly, the traffic for UNLV basketball games is mess and that's only about 17,000-20,000 tops. Another 30,000+...uh oh.
The artists rendering seems completely unrealistic. A full stadium for a Rebels game? C'mon.
Hope this gets done. It will benefit the whole community, not just UNLV athletics. It will definitely give the Rebel Football team a shot in the arm.
As a Clark County resident who is as concerned about taxes and public spending as anyone, I am 100% in favor of this plan because of its impact on the quality of higher education in southern Nevada and because of its impact on Las Vegas as a cultural and educational center in the southwest.
I believe the most exciting aspect of this proposal is the renovation of the face of UNLV's campus and the addition of several thousand on-campus housing units that will allow UNLV to move from a commuter school to a traditional university that can compete for talented students from Arizona, California, Utah, and beyond. If Las Vegas is going to diversify its economy and gain long-term stability, it needs a first-class university that will attract quality students and provide skilled labor for companies and industries that we hope to lure to this area.
Also, those who discount the role of athletics in education fail to recognize the extent of private donations and alumni support that are directly tied to the performance of the university's athletic teams. How does someone who graduates from a school and moves out of state keep in touch with his/her alma mater? Just ask schools like TCU how the overall university has benefited from their football team's success over the past few years. (I know administrators at the university who say overall university-wide giving has dramatically spiked since their Rose Bowl appearance and invitation to the Big 12.) Also, ask yourself why Notre Dame is a global icon and recognized name; it's not because of the quality of their English or Science departments. -- The truth is that athletic performance correlates with private funding, which correlates with educational excellence.
I understand taxpayers' concerns about funding issues, but given that the taxpayers are essentially off the hook for the planned expenditures, why not consider a 5-10% overrun that might fall to the taxpayers as an investment in UNLV and in Las Vegas.
Like I said above, I came to Las Vegas in large part because of the low taxes and low cost of living. That said, I'd be willing to carry a portion of this project as a taxpayer, and I will certainly frequent the stadium and campus retail areas to support the project with my sales tax dollars once UNLV and Las Vegas take this next step forward.
I'm excited...I honestly think you should be too.
Not just a shot in the arm for Rebel Football, but a great shot in the arm for the whole Midtown Project as well. Bringing more traffic (traffic is good in this case) to the area nearly year round.
Spend the money (smartly), build the stadium, build the community.
Even if the football team cannot put butts in seats right away, it would be a good venue to have. I also suspect it would help change attitudes of the community in the long run.
UNLV has been doing a good job of building up the accountability and strength of the degrees. They have improved student services greatly. An on campus stadium is just another leg for the University to stand on.
Regarding Mr. Snyder's comment about the facility enhancing the connection between the university and the community - maybe, maybe not. We lost our hockey team in the late 1990s because UNLV's president at the time didn't want the Las Vegas Thunder in "my arena" (the Thomas & Mack Center). We were without a hockey team for four years, and the team we have now is about two notches below the one we lost in terms of talent. If there is any conflict between UNLV's wishes and the community's, the community will lose every time.
But as you just said Orca, " UNLV's president at the time", which I recall being Carol Harter. Fast forward to today and Neal Smatresk is a different person, doing things differently. Heck, UNLV was a different place over a decade ago.
bobthebuilder....that comment was uncalled for, disrespectful and ignorant. I've done well with my degree, and most the graduates from UNLV that are in my circle, have done just as well, some much better...take your arrogance back to where you're from....
Also realize that a stadium like this doesn't pay the bills by hosting 6 to 7 college football games a year....it's everything else that does it, and the T&M is top 5 in the world in generating revnue for an arena, and 2nd in the U.S. behind the Madison Square Garden....for this reason alone, and coupled with every reason given, it's a no-brainer....our community would show its STUPIDITY by not allowing this to happen, if they chose that route.
Build it but not with my money.
Why no mention of The N. F.R.
The project demands nearly $300m in tax-increment financing to "help" the developer gain financing, but taxpayers have no liability? That's flim-flam.
As much as I love efforts to diversify our economy, Vegas is a tourism driven economy. This stadium should help to keep the rodeo, while opening up possibilities like the NCAA football playoffs (when they come), the NCAA hoops championship and perhaps even the Super Bowl. Also possibilities include major events like political conventions, huge concerts, etc. All things that will bring people here, and offer millions in 'free' advertising in form of TV coverage of such events.
This project includes solid long term thinking that will pay off in the future. Glad to see it moving forward.
Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said "There's no liability on behalf of taxpayers.
Then tell me why? the Legislators would have to approve the tax in order to get financing.
At least their plan seems to be getting better. Out of the way of planes landing on 19L? Check. Utilize otherwise unusable land near Trop & Paradise to accommodate relocated facilities? Check. All we're missing is the traffic study (which I don't hold out hope for -- more one-way streets I bet).
@audentes
The Superbowl is a pipe dream. You can't even mention Las Vegas during Superbowl ad slots, the NFL is that adverse. A 60K stadium isn't going to get those huge college games.
I think you over estimate the impact for events.
@tigermike:
I agree that the Super Bowl is unrealistic for this venue, but consider these other non-UNLV events that would be viable:
- NCAA bowl games
- NCAA/High school All-Star football games
- NCAA basketball tournaments
- NFL pre-season games
- NFL Pro Bowl
- World Cup Soccer
- MLS Soccer (pro team in Vegas?)
- NHL All-star/exhibition games
- X-Games
- Large concerts
- NFR
- PBR finals
- Motocross events
- Political / professional conventions
For those who are concerned about the tax burden on Clark County citizens, consider the revenue multiplier of inviting 40,000 or 60,000 out-of-state attendees to Las Vegas for 3-4 days to participate in and view events like these. People attending these events use our airport, rent a car or ride in taxis, stay in a hotel, eat in a restaurant, watch a show, play games, pay sales tax in the stadium district, etc.
This would be a HUGE step forward for UNLV and for Las Vegas (and Nevada). I'm crossing my fingers and getting ready to commit to season tickets if/when this becomes a reality.
this will never get done . too many other things las vegas needs . like jobs
Too bad....it would be nice to have a venue for Super Bowl 55 (Super Bowl "LV").
This project is no brainer and it must be build as a state of the art facility, forget UNLV as the main benefactor the whole city of Las Vegas will benefit from this project,I support it %100.
LOL bob the builder--"would you like fries with your order, and when you get home Sallie Mae left you 5 messages on your iPhone." (that's my longer version). A billion dollar stadium and thousands of new luxurious dorm rooms with Wi-Fi. No wonder the cost of college is going up so quickly.
Really excellent observations, Newcomer! This definitely is a way to give legitimacy to UNLV. All the whiners about the economy of Vegas lack the foresight to see this as one key element to the recovery of Southern Nevada.
@dlharis. Jobs??? You mean like huge construction project with hundreds of support services, and workers at the events, and students spending their parents $$$. Wake up, Dude, these ARE the jobs.
@Newcomer,
NFL is no go. The NFL will never let any sort of game come to Vegas within the next twenty years.
Political conventions are unlikely too, because Las Vegas is a very sensitive topic in that respect. Too many negatives on the brand.
World Cup Soccer will not happen until at least 2026.
NHL and NBA exhibitions games are already in Vegas. Lakers vs Kings at Thomas Mack? LA Kings at MGM?
Large concerts already at MGM and Mandalay Bay and Thomas & Mack.
So more than half your ideas are pipe dreams.
I will say it again clearly, when a full detailed financial plan is submitted then we can decide. At the moment there is nothing about the deficit and who picks up the tabs.
@bobthebuilder: while UNLV graduates are asking customers if they want fries with customers' orders, you're busy trying to spot someone outside of a Home Depot or Start Nursery who might hire you for a job since you know how to build, right Bob?
Venue is too small for the Superbowl. While it would be nice for UNLV Football..are they really going to even come close to filling 60k seats when I see empty seats at small Boyd Stadium? I've never been a fan of basketball or hockey games in oversize stadiums. Most NBA and NHL arenas hover around 20k. Beyond those seats you need binoculars. Same applies for concerts. I vowed never again to see a performer in a venue where the only way I could see him was by watching the video board.
If the project can be built without impacting taxpayers..see what can be done. 800+ million is pretty substantial for a 60k seat stadium.
This Stadium would be great in December, for NFR to stay in Las Vegas, instead of going to Cowboys Stadium when their contract is up.
It's nice to see so many positive comments regarding the stadium. It would be a huge project for Las Vegas construction workers, it could be a another huge draw for large events in Vegas, and it could seriously be a huge step forward to legitimize UNLV, both in athletics and as a university.
Right now student living facilities and student life as a whole are really lacking at UNLV, and if they want to move forward and become more than just a commuter school then these types of projects are going to be necessary.
We also need to think of this as a way to help UNLV get into a better conference. If we can manage to get our football team competitive and go to a few bowl games and along with a very successful basketball team and hopefully a competitive baseball team that goes to the playoffs year in and year out, just think of the number of conferences who will be knocking our doors down wanting us to be in their conference.(Stay away Big East!)
Pretty much sure that would happen.
I continue to support this project and wish Dr. Smatrask and Mr. Livengood the strenght and luck to get this done.
My support if for two reasons:
1) It would obviously positively impact UNLV athletics;
2) More importantly, it is a game-changer as to the status of the University as a whole. This will become increasingly important as the finances of college sport continue to evolve. Very likely will we see the elimination of the 'middle class' of Division-I thus, UNLV must be proactive and forward thinking with this project.
Build it and they will come--that's what they said about a billion dollar airport in Spain that isn't being used and all of those Olympic facilities in Greece (built with cheap credit) that now stand idle.
I actually think the stadium should seat at least 80,000+. I don't agree that the NFL would never have a super bowl here, or any other big event like the NCAA's. Look at what the Jerry Jones dome in Dallas has going on all the time and the key thing here is Vegas vs. Dallas, a no-brainer in my opinion.
This is a no brainer. I'm glad to see that the general consensus among the powers that be (not to mention locals) isnt whether or not we should build it....but how. Glad to see that the zero sum'ers aka the "spend the money on academia instead" crowd...have been ignored & their short sighted ignorance/opposition cast adrift.
There is risk with any new venture. But the potential rewards could have an awesome transformative impact on the University & the city. This could open the door for conference realignment, new TV deals, and a bevy of possible new revenue streams....thus making the athletic dept SELF SUFFICIENT (!!) which in turn frees up more revenue for academics too. Not to mention changing the culture for students & making it a REAL campus as opposed to its current community college feel.
Having said that though....the parking/traffic issue is a MAJOR problem. I have no idea how to solve that one. Its a nightmare during the NFR or during a Rebel game/MWC Tourney. So something has got to be done to alleviate that. All I know is I'm happy to be debating that instead of whether or not we should build it. Glad to see that ship has sailed.
The Colosseum in Rome was built for 50,000 but the Romans never planned a boutique and mini-mall. Sounds like a plan to out-do the Emperor, but the people always pay, even if the bread is free.
I went to Cardinals (U of Phoenix Stadium) this preseason and they have shopping complex adjacent to their stadium and it was packed! Before the game all the bars restaurants were full and on a wait, even the small sandwich shops had people spilling out the doors. Now i don't know if UNLV football games could create this much business, but things like large concerts, the MWC basketball tourney and NFR could definitely create that type of business for the planned shopping district.
Add major retail store like a target, movie theaters, clothing stores, book stores and coffee shops and it would appeal to the student dynamic, as it is well within walking distance of the dorms and main campus. I believe the tax revenue generated by this will be substantial.
As mentioned, a major problem for the stadium was the traffic, closer to game time specifically. It was terrible and required many to be there at least a few hours before the game. Which isn't a problem for football as many tailgate early for football anyway. But if Vegas people show up close to game time (and we do) for say basketball or other large events, the traffic could be a horrendous situation. I hope they place a lot of focus on that front, if and when this come to fruition.
This is something that should have been built years ago.To have a so called home game and your stadium is miles away from the school?Lets be real here.