Clark County approval was needed before A’s could request up to US$380m in public funding
More project updates expected during Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting in November
Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise the Athletics have cleared the latest regulatory hurdle for their US$2 billion Las Vegas ballpark after the project was unanimously approved by Clark County commissioners.
The agreement outlines the regulations for the construction and operation of the 33,000-seater stadium. It will also help streamline the permitting process as work progresses on the phased project, with the county issuing permits ahead of the agreement’s approval to ensure the A’s stay on track for the planned 2028 opening of the venue.
Additionally, the agreement stipulates that the project must comply with county air quality, dust mitigation, water conservation and stormwater permit requirements, as well as meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.
The A’s needed Clark County’s approval before they could request up to US$380 million in public funding for the project. Before public funds can be released, the franchise must also establish the guaranteed maximum price for the ballpark and meet other financial conditions, such as spending the initial $100 million on the project.
An update on the A’s progress with the project in relation to those requirements is expected to be provided during the Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting in meeting, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The A’s relocation from Oakland to Vegas in 2028 was approved by MLB owners in November 2023, with plans then moving forward to build a new ballpark on the site of the former Tropicana Las Vegas hotel on the Strip.
Estimated costs were initially pegged at US$1.5 billion but have now risen to around US$2 billion. That would put it behind only the Sphere, which cost US$2.3 billion, as Vegas’ most expensive venue not built primarily for gambling.
The A’s are responsible for covering all stadium construction costs, except for the US$380 million in public funds. This includes infrastructure improvements, aside from the US$25 million pledged by the county for enhancing vehicular and pedestrian access to the stadium.
A’s owner John Fisher has said he is comfortable with the rising costs.
“The costs have gone up as more detail comes in. That’s fine,” Fisher told The Nevada Independent in July. “From the very beginning, we wanted a design that was unique. Vegas is one of the most unique towns in the world. We wanted a building that would symbolise the excitement and uniqueness that is the market.”
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