This week’s closing of three small properties in downtown Las Vegas could be a precursor to big changes along Fremont Street.
Brothers Derek and Greg Stevens shut down the Mermaids and La Bayou casinos and the Topless Girls of Glitter Gulch strip club, which they purchased this spring.
They also own the shuttered Las Vegas Club, and the addition of the Mermaids and strip club properties now gives them control of the block on the north side of Fremont between Main and First streets. It is expected to be home for a yet-to-be-announced casino development, but planning is in its early stages, according to Derek Stevens.
He told KNPR's State of Nevada that adding the new properties expands what they can do along Fremont Street.
“It changes the scope of the project and it creates some other opportunities now that we’ve got a city block," he said, "It just changes what we’re capable of doing.”
He said the creativity team is working on a plan for the properties right now, but would not give specifics on what the project or projects would look like.
However, he did say that a key component will be additional hotel rooms.
The Stevens brothers have repeatedly expanded their presence in downtown since the purchase of the Golden Gate in 2008. Three years later they bought Fitzgeralds, which they renovated and renamed The D.
They also own the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, which Stevens said brings people downtown for a concert or boxing match who then stay to gamble or get dinner.
The new project from the Stevens brothers isn't the only changes you'll be seeing in the area.
Patrick Hughes is the CEO of the Fremont Street Experience. He told KNPR's State of Nevada that plans are in the works to improve the experience.
“The main initiatives for me right now as far as Fremont Street Experience is concerned are capital improvements to make the area shines again,” Hughes said.
The Fremont Street Experience is currently looking for a company to take the canopy and the display on it into "the next generation" Hughes said. He said he would like to see a display that was more than one dimensional.
Hughes hopes to have the improvements to the pedestrian mall in place by the end of this year and changes to the canopy done by next year.
Derek Stevens, casino owner, downtown Las Vegas; Patrick Hughes, CEO, Fremont Street Experience