Thanks to mike_ch who pointed out that KNPR, Las Vegas' NPR affiliate, used one our links in a story about the changes at Luxor:

http://www.knpr.org/son/archive/detail.cfm?ProgramID=1230

The State of Nevada program is a good one - I've heard everyone from Steve Wynn to Dave Schwartz on there and it's always interesting.

Now they just have to get me on the actual show. :-)

Thanks mike!

Another note - I am going to be testing the latest version of the blog software here pretty soon. I'll probably do a test run since it is pretty different under the hood and I don't want to screw everything up.

It allows some neat things down the road and I'm an ambitious fellow.

On the topic of design, I've had a nearly completed new design for the blog for a long time but now I'm thinking I'm going to go back to the drawing board and work on something more grand. We'll see.

I may post the test URL for the new software here in case anyone has a few minutes to test it once I get it up. I'm most concerned about user accounts getting jacked in the transition.

Your Vegas is showing

This is the new slogan for Las Vegas. Replacing
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. It was time for a new phrase. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas was a perfect slogan for Las Vegas. But it was worn out,way overused , and just plain tired.
So the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority dicided to change it. And what they came up with is, Your Vegas is showing.

What? Is that the best they could do?
I don't hate the new slogan. but i am not in love with it. I just think they could have done better.
Maybe it is just me. It just doesn't flow to me.
I wouldn't say to someone "Your Vegas is showing"
I would phrase it different. "I can see your Vegas showing."
It probably works for most everyone else . It is probably just me.

So Here is a topic for you that is always a concern of mine...

Infrastructure

With all the new proposed hotels opening, there has been little talk that I have seen about traffic, water, power and sheer control over the city. The proposed 20,000 person arena behind Bally's is a good place to start! Has anyone seen Koval (the road beside the arena and parallel to the strip) on a busy night? I cant even imagine what it while like when a game or event lets out. Water. Ahhh yes. According to some Las Vegas will run out of water by 2021. I slowly see Las Vegas becoming the next L.A. with all there traffic, power, and land issues.

Maybe I am just over analyzing this, but hey I'm a local and have concerns!

GG

It works fine for me. I think they can do some interesting commercials with that slogan.

The State of Nevada interview with Rappaport is interesting.

I wonder if they would ever consider digging a massive parking garage (ala Palazzo) where the surface valet is in front and then replace the self-parking in back with more casino, pool, hotel, etc...

I think that surface space is currently in flux right now. Between the market cooldown, CityCenter, and owners of the MGM Grand Signature/Residences threatening to sue for false advertising, I'm pretty sure that THEplace is all but dead.

It sounds like Rappaport has managed to wrestle that land away from the condo project, though. I'm glad to hear he plans to keep some of the more tasteful examples of the theming around.

I echo GG's concern about the infrastructure. Every time I hear of 20-thousand new this or 30-thousand that, I wonder how are those folks going to get around? Also, if you were going to actually, say live, in a Trump Tower, where do shop for groceries for instance? Surely not at the Smith's on DI and Decatur...

Roberta: this is something I've been wondering about, too--how could you actually live at one of these places?

First of all, many of these places will just go into the rental pool, so no one will be "living" there.

Second, most of the people who can afford a second or third residence that costs $1 million or more don't shop for their own groceries. When they're in town, they'll be eating at restaurants, or hiring a concierge/delivery service for "typical" groceries.

I think most people who live at Turnberry Place and actually need to shop go to the stores at Sahara and Maryland.

I used to live at the Meridian, which is about two blocks down East Flamingo (behind the Lawry's sign, specifically), and I did my shopping at the Von's on Twain and Maryland, so that's an option too.

I'm still not entirely sure whether most units at City Center are supposed to be primary residences or condo-hotel. I guess I need to take a trip down to the sales office and do some research.

Dave, I hope you do go to the CityCenter sales office and get a sense of how well they're doing. After the LV Sun story posted here about unhappy owners at Signature at MGM Grand, I wonder how strong CityCenter actually is.
My understanding is:
Vdara, all condo-hotel with 1,500 rooms.
Harmon, 400 hotel rooms and 200 condos.
Mandarin Oriental, 400 room hotel and 225 condos.
Veer, 307 condos.

How many qualified buyers want to own on the Strip? (No offense intended.) If I were a wealthy Asian or European who liked gaming, I'd rather be comped in a casino hotel rather than staying in a condo or timeshare like property. I believe MGM's doubt about the strength of CityCenter, at least for the near term, is the reason they spread the risk by selling 50% of the project to Dubai.
There were many initial reports on the rapid sales pace at CityCenter. Did those sales go to contract?
Dave, please let us know what your research shows.

Roberta, I agree with you on infrastructure. We talked about it here almost a year ago. Here's one topic, but I recall more:
http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/2007/02/will_transporta.html#comments

The Las Vegas Sun has redesigned its website and now has a gaming blog:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/gaming/

So anybody know what exactly is going on with Las Vegas Wet?I'm sure you guys know about the green lighted waterpark/ snow dome/ theme park on 200 acres on the south strip! I went to their website ( lasvegaswet.com ) and it now says coming in 2011! Anyone know if they are 100 percent go? There is also suppose to be a tv show about it!

GG

It's approved, but lacks the financing to put shovels in the ground.

This is about two months old, but it's the first time I've seen it. Wynn Las Vegas takes all those outrageous, six-figure vacation packages that come coupled with Rolex watches and lavish shopping sprees to another level completely:

http://www.robbreport.com/marketplace/detail.aspx?MarketPlaceProductID=6

A couple news reports on topics we've discussed:

The Review Journal has an article on CityCenter's condo sales. A cynic might say MGM's PR Department initiated the story to show that CityCenter sales are doing well in today's real estate market:
http://www.lvrj.com/business/13793837.html

The use of the Plaza name on Elad's new Strip property will be heard by a jury. One never knows what a jury will do:
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000298345&fid=942

I love the new tagline

I think it's funny

and definitely relevant