Nippon Casino Games

Casino Fandango Additions Approved in Nevada

Carson City Planning Commission has approved the application of Casino Fandango to add a 10-screen movie theater and a 98-room hotel on Wednesday, June 28. The addition would be adding more than 24, 000 square feet to the Fandango casino. Commissioner Bill Vance sees it as a "great thing".

The commissioners needed answers to certain concerns before they gave the go, such as outdoor signs, security and infrastructure improvements needed to make the South Carson Street business' expansion feasible.

Civil Engineer on the expansion project Nathan Robinson said that upgrades are being planned by Fandango Casino to move flood that may threaten to come from elevated locations to drainages. The drainages would be worked on for the new freeway.

The city wanted all drainage system measures to be done to keep the city safe from floods. Floodwater should end up flowing down to Curry Street then on to Carson Street.

One of the residents on Voltaire street, one of the sleepiest streets in the surrounding neighborhood, was concerned that the traffic from the busier Curry street might spill onto Voltaire. Voltaire runs north to south and lies west of Cochise Street, the road that takes vehicles from Curry once they cross Voltaire Canyon Road. However, principals behind the project assure that the traffic on Voltaire street would not increase.

"Voltaire is the slowest street in town, and we like it that way, " said concerned Voltaire street resident Tony Pilant, "open-minded, but leery" about how the expansion would impact the neighborhood.

Extra tax money would be brought into the city by the project because of the extra casino floor space and a hotel that could possibly be a Courtyard Marriott. A galaxy movie theater to the south side, west of Curry Street, according to staff report.

"IMAX?" asked Commission Chairman John Peery.

"No, " said project architest Peter Wilday. "But it's real good."

"Just the floors not being sticky would be an improvement, " Peery joked.

The report also stated that the project would be "an important anchor in establishing a community center in south Carson City". Fandango Casino opened in the summer of 2003 in the 3800 block of South Carson Street. Fandango was expanded once bringing it to its present size of roughly 48, 000 square feet. The expansion is expected to cost an estimated $35 million.

A 40, 000 plus square foot section of Voltaire Canyon Road is being seeked for abandonment. However the plan must first be approved by supervising authorities.