Don’t book that trip yet! According to Reuters, the ride is still five months off: "The 2,400-room Stratosphere resort, acquired last year by an affiliate of Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N), has placed plans for a major overhaul on hold, opting instead to focus on things like room updates and a ’skyjump’ ride that will open next April."
What’s more, the ride hasn’t been approved yet by the Las Vegas Building & Safety Department, which has the final say-so. According to Stratosphere representative Riley Meredith, the Strat doesn’t want to discuss the proposed thrill ride pending the council’s decision. "We will be making an announcement in the next couple of weeks," Meredith said. "If all goes well, next two weeks we’ll be sending a press release out about it -- but if the City of Las Vegas kills it ..." Meredith left the thought unfinished.
The Stratosphere falls into the ward represented by Councilman Gary Reese, whose office says the project has been approved but is awaiting the necessary building permits. Reese’s office has promised to look into the matter but we’ve not heard anything back.
Previous ownership’s proposal to build a 510-foot rollercoaster that would careen down and across Las Vegas Boulevard was something of which area residents took a dim view and a court kyboshed it in November 2002. Since the Stratosphere abuts one of Las Vegas’ older neighborhoods, it has to tread carefully when putting forward new attractions. We’ll try to keep you posted on this.
