Committee votes to demolish Riviera

29 July 2015

A Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority subcommittee is recommending the Riviera be torn down sooner rather than later.

The new Las Vegas Convention Center District committee, as it is now known, voted Tuesday to recommend that the Riviera property be demolished on its planned timetable instead of waiting for the governor's new Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee to make its recommendations on local tourism projects a year from now.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority acquired the Riviera in February for $182.5 million and intends for the land on which it stands to be a part of the $2.3 billion Las Vegas Global Business District convention center overhaul.

The Convention and Visitors Authority board is expected to consider the recommendation at its Aug. 11 meeting.

There's still no date for the demolition of the Riviera, nor a decision on whether to implode it or tear it down in a more conventional way. Authority officials estimate demolition will cost $42 million, but won't have a final price until the project goes to a competitive bid.

The convention center committee met for the second time Tuesday and immediately voted to take the new name after it originally had been established as the Las Vegas Global Business District committee. Members opted for the new name to take advantage of the branding the Las Vegas Convention Center has with established trade shows like the Consumer Electronics Show, the National Association of Broadcasters and ConExpo-Con/Ag.

Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president of operations for the authority, said the committee considered the pros and cons of knocking the Riviera down in its planned timeline or to wait to hear the recommendations of the 11-member committee assembled by the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

Convention Center committee members determined that demolishing the building quickly would enable large shows that use incremental outdoor space in temporary tent facilities to use the Riviera site. Committee members also considered the possibility of the cost of demolishing the building to go up if they waited too long. The Convention and Visitors Authority has the finances in place to pay for the demolition, but the governor's committee could possibly recommend alternative finances to pay for the demotion.

The committee also did not want the authority to be criticized for encouraging blight in the neighborhood by leaving the building standing longer than necessary.

Jicinsky reconfirmed that the demolition of the dormant 23-story, 2,100-room Strip hotel probably wouldn't occur until early next year after the authority initially projected an August date with the wrecking ball.

Related Links
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Gaming Vendor Information


Copyright GamingWire. All rights reserved.
Featured Vendors
Casino City Press
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Casino City Press
A leading publisher and distributor of casino and gaming business data and market research reports.
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Leader in creating award winning player & employee loyalty programs & events proven to increase ROI
Texas Slots & Gaming
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Texas Slots & Gaming
Wholesale gaming reimagined. Texas Slots & Gaming is your sustainable gaming partner.
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Specializing in the creation of best-of-breed gaming graphics - slot glass, sign faces, and more
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Slot Machines Unlimited
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Over 45 years of experience serving the legal and regulatory needs of casino industry clients
Slot Machines Unlimited
Exporter of IGT, Williams, AVP, Trimline, Aristocrat, Konami, Bally, & parts over 20 yrs experience
Imagine This
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
Imagine This
Imagine This #1 Source for Player Gifts. Over $50 million in stock ready to ship! Let us serve you!
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
The biggest little show in Indian gaming! Save the date: July 14-16, 2025 Oklahoma City
Casino Schedule Ease
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Casino Schedule Ease
Full Featured & customizable for the complex scheduling needs of table games & other casino depts
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Improve Your Odds of Success: Trust in REDW’s Tribal Casino Operations & Audit Experts!
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Concept 3, LLC
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Your one stop shop for all your gaming and OEM needs!
Concept 3, LLC
Custom Creations, Unmatched Value – Elevating Brands with Quality & Savings Since 2004
Prezzee
Casino Network
Prezzee
Prezzee provides digital gift cards from top brands to reward loyal guests and employees.
Casino Network
20+ years experience selling refurbished slot machines, parts & glass for all major brands
TribalHub
Players Pal
TribalHub
26th Annual TribalNet Conference Sept 15-18, 2025 at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada
Players Pal
Revolutionize the way you connect with your casino players with the Players Pal mobile app


Your Guide to 14,967 Gaming Industry Suppliers