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Plaza Hotel and Casino renovation plans put 400 jobs at risk
Updated: Sep 13, 2010 8:12 PM EDT
Las Vegas, NV- Devastating news for the local job market. Hundreds of workers at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Vegas will be laid off with in a matter of weeks after the property company announced it'll be closing the hotel and parts of the casino for remodeling.
All 1,037 rooms, along with portions of the casino floor will get a face lift. Renovations are a big reason for this decision. But the one that really can't be ignored is that the hotel industry, especially in downtown, has taken a huge hit by the recession, leaving more workers no other choice but to join the unemployment lines by this fall.
"It's a landmark of Las Vegas," says tourist Elizabeth Mcneil, of the iconic Plaza Hotel and Casino.
But as Nevada battles the highest unemployment rate in the country, the property is getting ready to lay off over 400 workers in the next 60 days.
"It's scary. It's terrifying?for a place like Las Vegas...because people come here to get good jobs," said another tourist.
But while the lay offs at the Plaza are no big surprise to many patrons, they do feel that the economy and the competition with other properties played a major role in this decision.
"They have to reduce staff and prices to attract more people there," Mahar Tantaoui, whose visiting from Canada.
Hotel property owner, Tamares Real Estate, released a written statement, saying " the Plaza has been experiencing the same kind of operational difficulties as other casinos....but despite these conditions...they are extremely excited about the future of downtown Las Vegas.."
Mayor Oscar Goodman has been at the forefront of the down town revival plan for years and although the Plaza's project will help with the area's face-lift. He's not too thrilled about the decision to cut jobs.
"I think in the long run we'll be ok, but no way can we feel good about the way our economy is today," said Goodman.
The property company says the renovations may take up to a year to complete. They say some of the employees may be shifted to other areas in the casino that aren't affected by the construction. Tamares Real Estate says this decision will not affect their two other properties, the Las Vegas Club Hotel and the Western Hotel Casino.
Plaza Hotel and Casino renovation plans put 400 jobs at risk
Updated: Sep 13, 2010 8:12 PM EDT
Las Vegas, NV- Devastating news for the local job market. Hundreds of workers at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Vegas will be laid off with in a matter of weeks after the property company announced it'll be closing the hotel and parts of the casino for remodeling.
All 1,037 rooms, along with portions of the casino floor will get a face lift. Renovations are a big reason for this decision. But the one that really can't be ignored is that the hotel industry, especially in downtown, has taken a huge hit by the recession, leaving more workers no other choice but to join the unemployment lines by this fall.
"It's a landmark of Las Vegas," says tourist Elizabeth Mcneil, of the iconic Plaza Hotel and Casino.
But as Nevada battles the highest unemployment rate in the country, the property is getting ready to lay off over 400 workers in the next 60 days.
"It's scary. It's terrifying?for a place like Las Vegas...because people come here to get good jobs," said another tourist.
But while the lay offs at the Plaza are no big surprise to many patrons, they do feel that the economy and the competition with other properties played a major role in this decision.
"They have to reduce staff and prices to attract more people there," Mahar Tantaoui, whose visiting from Canada.
Hotel property owner, Tamares Real Estate, released a written statement, saying " the Plaza has been experiencing the same kind of operational difficulties as other casinos....but despite these conditions...they are extremely excited about the future of downtown Las Vegas.."
Mayor Oscar Goodman has been at the forefront of the down town revival plan for years and although the Plaza's project will help with the area's face-lift. He's not too thrilled about the decision to cut jobs.
"I think in the long run we'll be ok, but no way can we feel good about the way our economy is today," said Goodman.
The property company says the renovations may take up to a year to complete. They say some of the employees may be shifted to other areas in the casino that aren't affected by the construction. Tamares Real Estate says this decision will not affect their two other properties, the Las Vegas Club Hotel and the Western Hotel Casino.