Southwest Las Vegas area resort’s impact on nearby businesses, possible expansion plans

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The southwest part of the Las Vegas valley continues to grow with thousands of new homes being built, new businesses going in, and one of the newest casinos in the valley besides Fontainebleau.

Ever since the Durango Casino and Resort opened there have been plans for expansion and on Wednesday, they got another step closer to reality.

The Clark County Zoning Commission approved a design review for the 49 acres where the Durango Resort sits within the Rhodes Ranch Master Planned Community. Those plans include an additional parking structure, an expanded gaming floor, and an additional tower.

The popularity of the property is also helping nearby businesses like Moderna Laser which is across the street from the resort. “You know we didn’t expect to be so busy where we are right now, but it has been great there is so much foot traffic,” explained Marlene Unisa, the Medical Director at Moderna Laser. “We’re looking to expand and hoping maybe we can move down the street to one of those bigger offices there, but we want to stay in this area for sure.”

The Durango Resort’s first quarter of operation saw massive success with its parent company Station Casinos seeing its best first quarter in the company’s history.

Not everyone was seeing the effects of The Sundry, a food hall across the street from the resort, that closed on June 22.

Overall, the biggest change in the area is the traffic. “The traffic sucks coming here but I am sure over time it will be better,” said Unisa.

The Durango Casino and Resort sent 8 News Now a statement which reads:

“We are very pleased that Durango Casino & Resort is off to a great start and has been so well received by our guests and grateful that the Clark County Commission has approved this modification to our development plans.  While we are continuing to prepare for future expansion and look forward to the additional jobs and tax revenues that expansion will create, there is no timeline for when Durango’s next phase will commence.”

“We want to express our sincere gratitude to the Clark County Commission and staff for their support and leadership. Their efforts have been instrumental in making Durango a reality, and we look forward to continuing our work with them to expand and enhance our newest resort.”

No timeline was given for when the expansion work would begin.

Also approved at the Clark County Zoning Commission on Wednesday was a three-part settlement with Rhodes for the development of Blue Diamond Hill. The planned community will have about 3,500 homes and no golf course because of water restrictions on golf courses.

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