The Paradise Town Advisory Board granted critical Phase 1 approval to Bally’s new resort and casino project in Las Vegas. The next step will be another important milestone on April 8th when the Clark County Commission meets to decide whether to grant its approval.
Step by Step
Bally’s megaproject in Las Vegas has yet to be named, but it is inextricably tied to the new ballpark being built for Sin City’s newest professional sports franchise, the former Oakland A’s of Major League Baseball. Both projects will be built simultaneously, with the ballpark currently underway while Bally’s seeks Phase 1 approval from the necessary authorities before it can break ground.
A Bally’s spokeswoman wrote in an email, “Permits were on the approval for Phase 1, and we are looking forward to beginning Phase 1 pending all necessary approvals.”
First Thing First
The first stage of the project will include building a parking garage on the southeast side of the 35-acre property, along with a utility plant located along the site’s eastern edge. Plans also call for a three-level plaza in the northwest corner, which will include a mix-use of retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment spaces.
Earlier this month, A’s vice chairman Sandy Dean said Phase 1 is expected to take roughly a year to finish. The total cost of the project, including the hotel and casino, is estimated to be $1.19 billion, which is scheduled to be fully completed by 2030.
However, according to Dean, the parking garage, central utility plant, and shared amenities with the stadium are expected to begin construction by early 2027 in order to complete these elements in time for the planned opening of the A’s ballpark in early 2028.
Soo Kim, Bally’s chair, stated in September, “Bally’s Las Vegas represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine the heart of the Strip.”
A’s Proving Doubters Wrong
Many believed that the A’s ownership group did not have the financial wherewithal to get the new stadium built, but those concerns are vanishing as the ballpark is underway and without any of the anticipated delays.
A’s President Marc Badain boldly dismissed the criticism before construction began in earnest, stating, “Locally, everybody knows this project’s going to happen. Nationally, there are a lot of skeptics. There will always be a lot of skeptics. There’s a lot of people that make a living out of questioning the success of sports venues and what they actually do for a community. You’re never going to eradicate that negativity. It’s just out there.”
The 33,000-capacity ballpark is scheduled to open in time for the 2028 season, and the A’s last game in Oakland occurred on September 26, 2024, a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers, in front of a sellout crowd of 45,000 fans. At the time, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao made a statement to ESPN. “It didn’t have to be this way. The people of Oakland deserve better.”
Since that time, the A’s have been temporarily relocated to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, the home of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The ballpark holds approximately 10,000 to 14,000 people.
