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By Alan Snel/LVSportsBiz.com Publisher/Writer
The Oakland Athletics scored a transportation win for their proposed ballpark site off Tropicana Avenue west of I-15 because the Nevada Department of Transportation’s current Tropicana/I-15 project includes new wider Tropicana sidewalks and Tropicana road improvements that extend all the way to Valley View Boulevard west of the ballpark site.
The Nevada DOT, like everyone else in Las Vegas, learned last week about the Athletics purchasing 49 acres at the old Wild Wild West casino site off Tropicana Avenue to build a baseball stadium, Nevada DOT spokesman Justin Hopkins said.
Hopkins told LVSportsBiz.com Wednesday that he is unaware of any discussions between the Athletics and DOT officials since the A’s ballpark announcement regarding the impact of the proposed baseball park on the DOT’s current Tropicana project that is in full gear and scheduled to be completed in early 2025.
But the Nevada DOT is “very much open to discussions” with the A’s on the topic, Hopkins said.
The Nevada DOT spokesman noted the road project actually includes improvements that would benefit fans walking to the Athletics ballpark if it’s built.
For example, new sidewalks will be built along Tropicana on the north side of the interchange that would allow fans to walk from the Strip to the west side of the interstate and a potential Athletics venue. Sidewalks are also being widened from five to ten feet.
Plus, the current at-grade Tropicana Avenue-Dean Martin Drive intersection just west of the interstate will be rebuilt so that fans from the Strip can walk above Dean Martin Drive without having to deal with motorists at that intersection.
Plus, the Tropicana road work extends west to Valley View Boulevard, well beyond where the ballpark of 30,000-32,000 seats would be located off Tropicana.
One interesting feature about the Tropicana project is that it’s design-and-build, so there’s “always room to make adjustments” to serve the A’s ballpark if needed, Hopkins said.
He said the Tropicana/I-15 project is on schedule.
Meanwhile, Athletics President Dave Kaval said he closed discussions with the city of Oakland for a ballpark there and is focused exclusively on trying to build a ballpark in Las Vegas,
The Athletics are asking for $500 million in public funding for their ballpark, which is pegged to cost more than $1 billion. If the A’s move to Las Vegas, this market of 2.3 million people would have three major league teams and be the smallest city with three big league franchises with an arena development company working to build an NBA arena at Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road.