Reno NV, Local preservationists try to keep this historic building from being torn down . The city plans to blow it up next Sunday. The City Council voted on Spetember 13 to demolish the Mapes to expand teh city's riverside district of art galleries, restaurants, retail shops, and a 12 screen movie theater.

Built in 1947, the Mapes was the first uilding in the nation constructed to house a casino, hotel, and live entertainment under one roof.

Vacant since 1982, the Mapes was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The National Trust for Historic Preservation listed it as one of America's most endangered historic buildings in 1998.

The Trust had lost seperate battles in Washoe County District Court in recent months. The Nevada Supreme Court refused to issue a stay to protect the building.


Local preservationists tried lawsuits, petitions, protests, even an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court to stop the demolition. As a last ditch effort, they plugged more than $400 into a slot machine to try and win a $33 million jackpot and buy the vacant building.