At this point, it was a mere formality, but the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority voted that the 60-year-old Riviera will in fact be demolished. No date has been set for the demolition, but it will not happen for at least six months. The LVCVA purchased the property for 2.5 million in February, in addition to .5 million in transaction costs.
Board member Steve Ross thinks the demolition will present a “golden opportunity” to raffle off a chance for someone to push the button to implode the casino. The contractor helming the LVCVA expansion project said the demolition should cost around $42 million, but the true cost will not be known until bids are sought out for the job.
Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO and president of the LVCVA said the expansion is to fight off other destination cities chipping away at Las Vegas’ convention business. “The fact is, there’s a destination arms race all around us,” Ralenkotter said.
Officials from the LVCVA said the shuttered Riviera will be inventoried for hazardous materials inside the former casino before it is imploded.
