Category Archives: The Strip

Columbia Sussex evicted (sorta)

Posted on April 11, 2008 by David McKee

In what has been described as an “abrupt” end to the Columbia Sussex/Park Cattle Co. lawsuit, playing out up in Douglas County, Nev., the former has paid out $40 million of an eventual $165 million and given Park Cattle the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, The Strip | Comments Off on Columbia Sussex evicted (sorta)

Now it's Morgans' turn

Posted on April 10, 2008 by David McKee

Add Echelon to the list of Strip projects across whose future a shadow has fallen. No, the problem isn’t with Boyd Gaming. They’re right on track. According to this Reuters story, it’s Morgans Hotel Group‘s participation that’s not shaping up … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Politics, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Now it's Morgans' turn

High spirits in Evansville

Posted on April 7, 2008 by David McKee

The acquisition, by Reno's own Eldorado Resorts, of the Casino Aztar riverboat, is playing to the expected hosannas. Interestingly, while 21% of the workforce was pink-slipped by outgoing owner Columbia Sussex, that seems to be the least of players' concerns. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Indiana, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on High spirits in Evansville

The Westin scandal …

Posted on April 4, 2008 by David McKee

… is growing legs. No, not these kind of legs. (Well, that too.) It’s also unearthed another strange-but-true story of business as usual at Columbia Sussex. That $25/bedbug bounty at the Trop is unwontedly generous by ColSux standards — a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Harrah's, International, Labor, Politics, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on The Westin scandal …

Hooters sagging

Posted on April 3, 2008 by David McKee

Yes, they’re drooping again at the mammary-themed hotel — revenues, that is. The recession continues to hit the bargain-niche properties first and hardest. The interesting info is buried toward the end, as potential buyer Richard Bosworth (who’s already put $3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Downtown, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip | Comments Off on Hooters sagging

Monte Carlo: What the f…?

Posted on April 2, 2008 by David McKee

You know those fellows who set the Monte Carlo on fire? Well, it seems they were working under a window-washing permit. I kid you not. Tony Illia ran down this gem, which adds to the tragi-comedy of how Union Erectors … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, The Strip | Comments Off on Monte Carlo: What the f…?

Elvis has already left this building

Posted on March 27, 2008 by David McKee

Two days ago, VegasTodayandTomorrow.com broke out the specifics of FX Real Estate & Entertainment‘s Elvis-themed resort, set for the southeast corner of Harmon Avenue and the Strip, gleaned from an SEC filing. Among the principals is Paul Kanavos, previously involved … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Politics, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Elvis has already left this building

Plaza still a "go", Tropicana gets new boss, Gibbons still irrelevant

Posted on March 20, 2008 by David McKee

It's Day Five of the "Hell No, We Won't Go" crisis and Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners members Drs. Daniel McBride and Javaid Anwar continue to thumb their noses at Gov. Jim Gibbons. As does board Executive Director Tony … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Indiana, Marketing, Movies, Politics, Problem gambling, The Strip | Comments Off on Plaza still a "go", Tropicana gets new boss, Gibbons still irrelevant

Stalemate at The Orleans; Big Easy has big month

Posted on March 19, 2008 by David McKee

It’s been almost nine months since the majority of Boyd Gaming‘s stagehands voted to unionize. Since then, they’ve been subjected to a managerial smackdown and their elected representative, IATSE, is virtually powerless to alleviate the situation — or even to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Election, Harrah's, Louisiana, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip | Comments Off on Stalemate at The Orleans; Big Easy has big month

Exodus from L.V. Trop continues

Posted on March 19, 2008 by David McKee

There will soon be even fewer reasons (not that there are many left) to visit the Las Vegas Tropicana. Instead of having to navigate a defunct escalator to see Bodies … The Exhibition or Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, you'll be … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Exodus from L.V. Trop continues

Stat of the Week

Posted on March 13, 2008 by David McKee

According to a report filed by private detective Jim Perry of Perry Investigations, on the evening of Sept. 1, 2007, he spent two hours conducting surveillance at the Tropicana Resort & Casino, between 8:15 and 10:15 p.m. During that time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, The Strip | Comments Off on Stat of the Week

Columbia Sussex dodges bullet

Posted on March 3, 2008 by David McKee

Yes, Columbia Sussex is in default on $960 million in debt, says a Delaware court. But it's not in immediate default, giving the hotelier at least another month to wriggle out of that tight spot. However, a source for the Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Indiana, Kentucky, The Strip | Comments Off on Columbia Sussex dodges bullet

MGM Grand to make a big splash

Posted on February 28, 2008 by David McKee

Our "ace in the hole" source has caught wind of a major expansion of the pool area and water features at MGM Grand, extending toward the Signature condos. The official verbiage is as follows: The plans depict a recreational area … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Indiana, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on MGM Grand to make a big splash

Criticism of Yung begins to sting

Posted on February 25, 2008 by David McKee

Editorial pinpricks, like a Cincinnati Enquirer jibe about “pay to play,” evidently took their toll on Columbia Sussex CEO William Yung III. Defending his high-profile push for a Kentucky casino, which has included strewing more than $1 million in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Kentucky, The Strip | Comments Off on Criticism of Yung begins to sting

Tropicanned

Posted on February 21, 2008 by David McKee

I've spent the morning at the Las Vegas Tropicana and may be too tired (and too dehydrated) to blog worth a damn. Jeez, that place is humid! Oh well, so as not to leave readers empty-handed, here's a copy of … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, The Strip | Comments Off on Tropicanned

New condo tower slated for Strip

Posted on February 18, 2008 by David McKee

Remember that second tower of Allure Condo Las Vegas that was supposed to be built, then was scrapped? It’s back … after a fashion. Developer Andrew Fonfa has consolidated the 2.3 acres where Allure Phase II was to have gone … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, The Strip | Comments Off on New condo tower slated for Strip

Clintons: 'Burn it down'; Save the Rio!

Posted on February 18, 2008 by David McKee

Well, actually that was the motto of Black Power activist Stokely Carmichael … but, in essence, that's the message coming out of the camp of Sen. Hillary Clinton, favored candidate of Harrah's Entertainment. I knew in my heart that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Election, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Clintons: 'Burn it down'; Save the Rio!

Columbia Sussex roundup

Posted on February 18, 2008 by David McKee

It’s difficult to figure out CEO William Yung III‘s endgame in his high-profile pursuit of a casino in Kentucky, as it could potentially further complicate the attempted sale of Casino Aztar in Evansville, Ind. So far, suitors have proven to … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Indiana, Movies, The Strip | Comments Off on Columbia Sussex roundup

More trouble for LV Trop

Posted on February 15, 2008 by David McKee

Its popular “Bodies” exhibition has become the focus of an ABC News investigation, with reports airing both on Good Morning America and tonight’s edition of 20/20. Veteran reporter Brian Ross raises some very disturbing questions about the provenance of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Current, The Strip | Comments Off on More trouble for LV Trop

Double standard

Posted on January 24, 2008 by David McKee

According to yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, the Culinary Union has sent Nevada casino regulators a tape and report purportedly documenting prostitution at the Tropicana. Why I’m shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you! The oldest profession being practiced on the Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, The Strip | Comments Off on Double standard