Plans for Atomic Kitchen OK’d despite protests
The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved a special-use permit for Atomic Liquors owner Lance Johns to develop a restaurant next-door called Atomic Kitchen on East Fremont Street.
The permit approval came over the objections of some local landowners and church leaders who said the new eatery will add to the noise problems in the gentrifying neighborhood.
The council voted 5-1 to approve, with Mayor Carolyn Goodman absent for a U.S. Conference of Mayors event.
Johns plans to spend nearly $1 million on renovating a 1940s-era garage next to Atomic Liquors into the restaurant, which he hopes to open in April. The garage was the setting for the mob meeting scenes in the movie "Casino."
Downtown Project's Todd Kessler was the official applicant for the special-use permit. Tony Hsieh's Downtown Project, a $350 million downtown redevelopment initiative, owns the Atomics Liquors and Atomic Kitchen site of just barely less than a third of an acre. Johns owns Atomic Liquors and is building the restaurant.
Local church leaders, land owners and some residents have complained that Downtown Project's developments, events and business tenants are causing noise problems in a neighborhood that is experiencing more entertainment and music businesses.
Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com Find him on Twitter: @BicycleManSnel
