Airport cleared to negotiate liquor store lease

An airport liquor store proposal cruised closer to a landing Tuesday.

Clark County commissioners approved allowing the airport to negotiate a lease with Lee's Runway Liquor for a store in the baggage claim area.

Airport officials will bring a final lease proposal to commissioners at a later date.

The airport will receive a portion of Lee's gross revenue as lease payments. That portion of the agreement concerned Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who opposes an airport liquor store.

Sisolak and Commissioner Lawrence Weekly voted against leasing the airport space to Lee's Runway Liquor.

Sisolak questioned whether the revenue-sharing arrangement would make the airport a part owner in the store, opening the county to liability if patrons become involved in alcohol-related incidents.

Airport Director Randall Walker said the county would have to take some of the net profits rather than gross revenue to be a part owner.

Lee's Liquor scored the highest among competing applicants, Walker said. The airport notified the major casino hotels in the area about the liquor store plans, and Wynn Resorts was the only company that objected, he said.