Snyder getting varying responses to UNLV stadium proposal

Welcome to Don Snyder’s world.

Last month he drew a cool reception from resort-casino big guns who think the estimated $900 million price for the proposed 60,000-seat domed stadium project on the UNLV campus costs too much.

And on Tuesday a board member for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority told Snyder that the University of Nevada, Las Vegas should contribute more money to the project.

Snyder, UNLV’s stadium point man, who spearheaded the Fremont Street and Smith Center projects, is learning that building a stadium with public dollars isn’t easy.

UNLV has dubbed the stadium a “Mega-Events Center,” centerpiece of a public-private partnership with Majestic Realty to transform the campus under the UNLVNow project banner.

Snyder made a pit stop before the convention agency board for a brief project update but didn’t offer new information for the board, which governs the
$288 million public tourism agency. In fact, not once did he even use the term “Mega Event center” or “stadium.”

Instead, Snyder talked about having “active dialogue” with stakeholders and forming a “true partnership” with the resort industry. And he rolled out his old standby: “game changer.”

“We’re committed to getting this project right,” he told the members.

Only one board member had a question for Snyder. Cam Walker of Boulder City told Snyder that UNLV should provide more than just the land.

“I don’t think free land is enough to give,” Walker said.

Snyder responded by saying he is seeking a “balanced fair deal” for the project’s partners.

An experienced fundraiser, Snyder has made the rounds looking for public dollars. A proposed hotel room fee didn’t go over well. He would like the Las Vegas resort industry to kick in $125 million for the venue, and he still is having those stakeholder chats.

Joining Snyder on Tuesday was a project consultant, University of Michigan economist Mark Rosentraub, who furnished a report several months ago saying the proposed UNLV stadium could draw 15 new events, such as concerts, and sports attractions generating $393 million in new local spending.

Rosentraub said the UNLV stadium project is unusual because it lacks a main tenant such as a professional sports team.

“It’s a little more of a challenge. The anchor tenant is a group, and you have more people involved,” he told the Review-Journal after Snyder addressed the board.

Snyder recently stepped aside as dean of UNLV’s hotel college to focus on university projects such as UNLVNow, which includes new student housing and retail space along with the stadium project. Private partner Majestic, owned by billionaire developer Ed Roski, is bringing $360 million to the table for the stadium project.

Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273.