By admin
The Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Hotel could face demolition as early as 2024 to make way for a new Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium in Las Vegas. This timeline aligns with the expiration of the Oakland Athletics’ lease on their current ballpark. Ross Edwards, senior vice president of operations at Mortenson McCarthy, stated that construction on the new stadium would need to commence by April 2025 at the latest in order to be ready for the 2028 season.
The demolition plan comes after the announcement of a binding agreement between Tropicana operator Bally’s and the A’s, indicating that the once iconic Strip casino resort could become the new home of the MLB stadium. The venue’s lifespan was estimated to be 18 to 24 months. The A’s had previously considered a site at the intersection of I-15 and Tropicana, but the amount of public financing required for that project was higher compared to the Tropicana site.
Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) Chief Operating Officer Brandon Moore emphasized that the fate of Tropicana is currently driven by the A’s and Bally’s, with GLPI being the real estate owner involved in the decision-making process. While GLPI has committed to $175 million in financing for the stadium project, they have shown willingness to increase this amount as the project progresses.
The total development costs for the stadium are estimated to be $400 million, with the A’s seeking financing for the remaining $1.1 billion needed for the project. However, GLPI has indicated a potential interest in investing more in the project as it continues to evolve.
Despite the potential demolition of Tropicana, GLPI has expressed willingness to work with Bally’s to potentially resurrect the venue in an updated form at the stadium site once the ballpark is completed.
The imminent death of Tropicana, a piece of Las Vegas history with ties to organized crime in the past, will mark the end of an era. The venue had historical links to the mafia and was involved in various criminal activities which inspired the 1995 film “Casino,” directed by Martin Scorsese.