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Shop at Jay’s Market at 190 East Flamingo Road at the Koval Lane intersection east of the Strip.
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — It seems like an innocent new law in Clark County. It was item 37 on Tuesday’s Clark County Commission agenda.
It’s an ordinance to rename the Sports and Special Events Department to The Office of Sports and Special Events.
Looks pretty routine.
Until you click the proposed law on your computer screen, see the language and ask yourself, “Does the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix comply with these event permit requirements.
The F1 race is now in its third year and street race organizers are in the middle of installing the 3.8-mile track though the Strip corridor. Year 1 was a mess and disaster, causing unprecedented disruptions to traffic flow and commerce on Las Vegas Boulevard and its local streets. Year 2 in 2024 and Year 3 in 2025 have caused less problems, but lanes and roads have been closed to install the concrete barriers, light mounts and fencing.
LVSportsBiz.com took a look at the special event preliminary approval language in the agenda item. One line caught our interest: “The Special Event will not substantially interrupt public transportation or other vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area of its location.”
Other sections of the ordinance are also intriguing. It looks like F1 representatives will need to “appear before the Board” because the Las Vegas Grand Prix requires a road closure of Las Vegas Boulevard. Take a look at the language:
F1 attracts a higher-spending visitor during these declining tourism times in Las Vegas.
The Nov. 20-22 event lures visitors during a traditionally slower time on the Strip. But the traffic, access issues and crowds also keep away non-F1 tourists.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix has beefed up its community relations program, pulling a mega card in the PR deck by having the Girl Scouts sell their cookies at the race.
It’s doubtful Clark County would ever deny an event with Girl Scouts cookies.
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