[von949]

This guy Tony Hsieh seems to be a little anti gambling/gaming, at least for the downtown area. From what I have been reading it seems that if downtown area was to ever become diversified, Tony would be the perfect initiator. Nothing wrong with someone trying to bring some real non tourist type commerce to the area. Also been hearing about this X-Train that the Plaza wants to use to ferry tourists from Los Angeles to downtown Las Vegas for $99 round trip using already existing tracks. This sounds like a much better deal than the train to Victorville.

Hsieh believes creating that atmosphere requires gathering places frequented by locals, not tourists seeking slot machines.

it’s wise for downtown to move away from tourism because the area’s potential for growth in that industry is limited.

he and his staff at Zappos are brainstorming ways to create a scene that will entice smart, culturally astute and fun-loving people to a place many would never have dreamed of calling home.

Zappos CEO floats idea of downtown high-tech business incubator - Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 | 2 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun
Zappos CEO envisions a new community downtown - Thursday, March 17, 2011 | 2:01 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun
Zappos putting its stamp on downtown Las Vegas - Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 | 2 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun
Zappos brainstorming how to make downtown more livable - Friday, May 20, 2011 | 1:55 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun

I think this below may be a stretch, reminds me of the Google compound.

Hsieh is exploring building 500 to 1,000 units of 100-square-foot spaces rented for $100 a month — enough room for a bed and a closet, while bathroom facilities would be shared. Maybe a bar or lounge would be attached to the building and renters would crash there whenever they wanted. “Maybe call it the Crash Pad,” he said. Renters would be screened to keep it from becoming a homeless or hooker option, he said.

Opinions?

[DarkSky]

The downtown area has changed alot. I remember when the crackheads, and dope dealers used to hang out in front of the old 7-11 on Fremont, and L.V blvd. Not anymore, the area is alot safer, and fun. The bars like "Insert coins", "Beauty Bar", "The Griffin" are all nice places where locals hang out, and their not over priced. "First Fridays", and "Vegas Streats" festivals every month. Theres alot of good things going on downtown. That's why I moved myself, and my family Downtown last October, same building as Tony Hsieh. Good times!

[DarkSky]

The downtown Tony Hsieh seems focused on is the East side of L.V Blvd. There are no Casino's..

[Buzz123]

That's a lot (2 words) of reading so I'll get to it later. But I don't care what else he adds to downtown as long as he realizes what this town is primarily known for and based upon. Without gambling, there would be no Las Vegas, and Nevada would barely exist.

Not wishing to sound negative, but after nearly 50 years of seeing politicians and expert outsiders come in here with big ideas that fail almost immediately, I just hope we don't hang too much of our future on Zappos big ideas only to see them take us down with them. I hope they succeed, but I'll wait and see. From what I've heard him say, like all outsiders, he doesn't quite get what this town is about, and that's dangerous. But to a local politician, anyone with a briefcase from 100 miles away is an expert.

As far as a train from LA to the Plaza, the original name of that hotel was The UNION Plaza, for Union Pacific Railroad station, which it remained for several years after it opened in 1971. It was built on the site of the town's railroad station, there since 1905, and the trains continued to stop at the back door of the hotel bringing in gamblers, mostly very old folks, long after it opened. So trains from LA to the UP ...I mean Plaza ...are nothing new.

[LVPoker1]

Reopening the tracks for LA to LV route is a great idea IMO.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by LVPoker1

Reopening the tracks for LA to LV route is a great idea IMO.

The tracks are there, and freight trains still pass right behind the Plaza, so wouldn't it just be a matter of adding passenger trains? But it only sounds like a good idea if somebody else takes the risk. It has never worked before, and unless there has been a poll taken recently saying otherwise, I don't know what reason there is to believe it will work now.

[von949]

Originally Posted by DarkSky

The downtown area has changed alot. I remember when the crackheads, and dope dealers used to hang out in front of the old 7-11 on Fremont, and L.V blvd. Not anymore, the area is alot safer, and fun. The bars like "Insert coins", "Beauty Bar", "The Griffin" are all nice places where locals hang out, and their not over priced. "First Fridays", and "Vegas Streats" festivals every month. Theres alot of good things going on downtown. That's why I moved myself, and my family Downtown last October, same building as Tony Hsieh. Good times!

Is First Friday back on? Last I heard it was on hold indefinitely. If it is, that's great.

Originally Posted by DarkSky

The downtown Tony Hsieh seems focused on is the East side of L.V Blvd. There are no Casino's..

What about the Western and El Cortez?

[von949]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

The tracks are there, and freight trains still pass right behind the Plaza, so wouldn't it just be a matter of adding passenger trains? But it only sounds like a good idea if somebody else takes the risk. It has never worked before, and unless there has been a poll taken recently saying otherwise, I don't know what reason there is to believe it will work now.

Its a long shot but this idea should see more light way before that Victorville project does. At least with the Plaza train concept, there is some infrastructure already in place and the LA location would make more sense and more $$$.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by von949

Is First Friday back on? Last I heard it was on hold indefinitely. If it is, that's great.

What about the Western and El Cortez?

The Western closed and the El Cortez is just barely east ...but I'd think any expansion downtown would mean more casinos east of 5th St. eventually. Too bad the Showboat is gone, huh?

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by von949

Its a long shot but this idea should see more light way before that Victorville project does. At least with the Plaza train concept, there is some infrastructure already in place and the LA location would make more sense and more $$$.

I'm no expert on the subject, but I think travel time may be a factor. That's why they wanted a fast train. By the time a guy in La drives to the Amtrack station, jumps through some hoops there, rides the train to Las Vegas, finds his luggage ...several more hours than it takes to drive have passed and he's tarred and grumpy at the 21 table. "Normal" trains are slow and boring to ride.