By: Las Vegas Now Staff
It's the city's official groundbreaking Thursday for a major 61-acre project in downtown Las Vegas called Union Park.
Plans for the property include everything from a hotel and casino to a world jewelry trading center. There will be commercial and residential space.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has been pushing for this project to help revitalize the downtown area. The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute will be the first completed part of the project.
The land near Grand Central Parkway and Main Street, which used to be the railroad yard, has sat vacant for years.
Mayor Goodman hopes the development will help change the negative stereotype of downtown Las Vegas.
“We're the entertainment capital of the world, the tourist destination, the best of everything to become a great community that celebrates great medicine, great art. It is something that one would bet against a little while ago,” said Goodman.
Last month, Goodman showed Senator Harry Reid around Fremont Street. They toured the historic Las Vegas post office, World Market Center and other downtown facilities. Senator Reid said it was nice to see new development going through despite the tough economic times.
Construction on the infrastructure of the project will begin immediately. Construction is expected to be finished by 2012.
