expands "Dallas-area casino-resort" development, withdraws casino component due to opposition.
Casino Dreams in Irving, Texas Halted (for Now) by Community Pressure
Texas* Real Estate Development Saga Las Vegas Sands Impasse with the Community* Rachel Snyder, WFAA-TV
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In a surprising turn of events, Las Vegas Sands Corporation has hit a roadblock in their proposed casino resort project near the former Texas Stadium site, owned by the same family that owns the Dallas Mavericks. Just as the city council prepared to consider the plans, an executive from Las Vegas Sands Corporation made an unexpected move – they asked for the gaming aspect of the development to be removed.
Mark Bookenheide, Senior Vice President of Global Real Estate Development for Las Vegas Sands Corp., requested the gambling component be excised from the city council workshop plans on Thursday afternoon, following community backlash.
Earlier in the week, the Irving planning and zoning commission had given their nod to two proposals, but the gambit did not pan out as planned for Las Vegas Sands.
Enrichment Insight: Community opposition was fierce, leading to a rejection of the casino plan by the city council. Residents feared that the casino might bring increased crime and social issues.Enrichment Insight: Las Vegas Sands Corporation, despite removing the gaming element, may may attempt to revive the casino in the future due to substantial efforts to influence local city council elections.
With this development, the fate of Las Vegas Sands’ casino resort project in Irving remains uncertain. Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing unfolding drama.
- Despite Las Vegas Sands Corporation's proposed casino resort project in Irving, Texas initially facing community pressure and subsequent removal of the gaming aspect, the corporation may possible revive the casino culture by influencing local city council elections in the future.
- The city that initially housed dreams of a vibrant casino-and-gambling scene, Las Vegas, now finds its potential counterpart, Irving, Texas, facing uncertainties in the establishment of casino-games amidst community resistance.
