Boyd Gaming planning to decorate Echelon site

LAS VEGAS -- A Boyd Gaming Corporation executive told the Nevada Gaming Commission Thursday there has not been any catalyst on the Strip that would allow the company to complete the halted Echelon development.

During questioning over a request for an interactive gaming license in Nevada, Boyd Gaming Executive Vice President Bob Boughner said the company expects to complete a landscaping project to hide the unfinished Strip resort by the end of December.

Boughner said Boyd hopes to complete a "decorative" wrap of site's the steel and concrete structures by the first part of January.

"We believe the landscaping and wrap will take away from the temporary nature of the site," Boughner said. "We're embarking on a beautification of site."

Boyd Gaming halted construction of the planned $4.8 billion Echelon in August 2008.

The 87-acre Strip site, which was once home to the Stardust, was to include five hotels, a casino, retail, dining and other entertainment amenities.

Boughner told the gaming commission the company was evaluating new plans for Echelon, but the economy has not recovered sufficiently for the development to be restarted.

"The company did a great thing when we created the project," Boughner said. "The company did the right thing when we suspended the project.

"We've carefully monitored performance on the Strip and there has been nothing to suggest that we begin construction again at the time."