County commissioners approve Strip entertainment project
An entertainment, retail and dining corridor that could feature the world's largest Ferris wheel cleared a major hurdle when Clark County commissioners approved the land use and design Wednesday.
Caesars Entertainment aims to start work this month on the $500 million complex, known as Project Linq, which will stretch between Imperial Palace and the Flamingo casinos. The 326,000-square-foot project, scheduled to be finished in 2013, will create 3,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs.
Project Linq will depart from the typical hotel-casino model , said Caesars spokesman Gary Thompson, noting it will have no central gaming area.
"This is more of an entertainment experience," he said. "This will be the first significant development in Las Vegas since last year. We think it's going to attract quite a few people."
Venetian representatives voiced concerns Wednesday about traffic, and Thompson said Caesars and Venetian officials will meet to discuss any concerns.
The 550-foot Ferris wheel will be a key attraction. It would be larger than the Singapore Flyer and the London Eye, Thompson said, making it the world's biggest.
To accommodate the complex, Audrie Street and Ida Avenue will be converted from public to private streets, and adjacent parcels will be used for surface parking.
Commissioner Steve Sisolak said the project will give the Strip and the entire area a boost by creating a new destination and thousands of jobs.
"I think it's fabulous," Sisolak said.
Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.
