Well I've said enough bad but truthful things about the current status of Las Vegas so now I think it's time to look into the future and seek the "GOOD" and nothing but the good!

The opening of new projects on and off the Strip always has AND always will increase the visitor count and there are a few big "items" coming up that are sure to follow suit.

Let me take a fast look at each of them and ask if you agree and also encourage you to forecast the "Next Best Thing" in Las Vegas that will bring 'em in by the droves just like the grand old ladies on the Strip did so effectively in the past.

My first "Big Attraction" is Steve Wynn's Encore. People will come from all over the world to see it but only at a time when money is tight and the economy is down and out, so those people will come but it will not resemble a "stampede" of major proportions. But they will show up nonetheless.

Next "Big Attractions" will be the City Center - no doubt about that at all. I'll post more information about this unworldly project at a later date but it's gonna be a huge and interesting tourist magnet.

And then the Fountainbleau down there on the north end of the Strip. That project might have caused an ample amount of resentment (to put it mildly) among the Turnburry residents but it's going to be a winner and increase traffic in an area that presently is just about deserted. Even the Sky is dark at night. And daytime too!

These three projects will be built and completed soon, and when something big is built in Las Vegas everyone has to come and see it.

"Build it and they will go away!" is not a valid statment (bon mot?) in this town.

Feel free to add or rebutt, but in this economy you got tighten your safety belts because it's gonna be a bumpy ride with a very interesting ending.

Thanks will, That's good stuff. I know I look forward to it. I agree completely. Nuttn' to rebutt. Some local reports say that while outsiders are quick to point out Las Vegas losses without looking in their own backyard, Las Vegas will be one of the first and strongest whenever that road to recovery opens up. Who knows?

It's a little early in the day so my thinking cap isn't on. Maybe that's a good thing.

You juggled my mind in several directions. My first thought is that the more hotel rooms, the bigger the crowds. The more condos, the fewer the crowds. You know how Trump and Palazzo opened about the same time and no matter how boring the Palazzo is, it is a star compared to Trump's ghost town.

Fountainbleau was supposed to be a mini City Center in the respect that it would have a lot of condos and have residents that would seldom need to leave the property. I'm guessing that idea is being revisited and the end result will be very good for Joe "the tourist".

I admit that I do get excited each time I drive by Encorenodot and see progress being made.

City Center leaves me speechless, and that's rare.

There are secondary projects that are going to grab some attention in the near future.

Look for the Mirage volcano to create some spark on the strip. It will once again become a prime people watching destination. The last time I was there "rhythm devil" Mickey Hart was outside near the sidewalk with a bunch of other guys and computers putting final touches on tuning the speakers for the volcano noise. It was very loud and with over a hundred flash pots firing all over the place, I am confident the result will be memorable.

There are two projects at the Hard Rock that will be minor attractions. There is a new tower and an addition on the east side of the casino. I don't know if that addition will be more casino floor space or "added attraction". Whatever it is will make the walk from the parking garage seem shorter.

M-resort is about 6 months away. People see their blimp every night and say they need to check it out when it opens. I have been avoiding the place so I can be totally surprised when I finally see it. I honestly don't know or want to know what to expect.

I'm not a Trekky. I am very interested to see if the old Hilton attraction really does materialize at Neonopolis. I think it could be the shot in the arm that Neonopolis needs. Jillian's just shut down at Neonopolis and the new restaurant is supposed to be named very very soon.

The last good news before I get my mind in gear is gas prices. We are just now hitting the solid $2 mark. It's been hit several times on a promotional level. It's now starting to settle in. I plan to enjoy it as much as I can.

Good additions to this topic, JMT! Thanks!

Let me add a couple of remarks to some of the projects you bought up ....

I don't know how we did this but one day we drove into the City Center pass the guard shack on the west side of the project and about 1/2 the distance before you would possibly reach the Strip (if in fact you could reach the Strip at all).

We were in the middle of all those glass high rises and completely and totally in awe just prior to getting stopped by one of the Security guys.

We convinced him that we had merely taken the wrong turn and ended up here in the Land of OZ. And that was the best way to describe it. It is gonna be a major wonderland once it opens.

Regarding Trump Towers - I've watched it as it went up and have taken many pictures as it rose from the desert floor and always wonder how it has been doing since it opened. It is my understanding that all the units did not sell as originally anticipated and they had to do some sort of unplanned hotel operation as a result. I do recall getting a card offering us two nights at about $200 per night and the third night would be free but that was soon after it was initially opened.

Can you tell us if filling the place up on a nightly basis or half of it or a third of it or whatever? What percentage of the condo apartments sold as per the original plans? And at what price are those unit being offered on the resale market today? And are there any definite plans yet for the second towner?

You refer to it as a "Ghost Town" so I assume that it is not doing too well.

How successful were the condo sales in the Fountainbleau?

Last time I was in the Sky it was almost completely empty. I believe only 8 of those units were occupied on a long term basis, must some owner do purchase condo units and keep them vacant for their own visits and gamble on the resale value. In this case this was not a good gamble for short term investors.

Ditto on the new Planet Hollywood cond/hotel tower. Any idea on how that one is doing in sales, etc.?

I also hope that Neonopolis will get on its feet but I actually feel that is a lost cause no matter who or what goes in down there. Maybe a bunch of fine dining and well known restaurants would work in that place.

How is that high rise condo doing that was built directly across from Neonopolis and the El Cortez.

And last but not least ... How is my old time favorite doing? I refer to the Gold Spike. I visited it twice a few months back and hope that they are successful even though I much preferred it when it looked like the inside of a dirty ashtray and the Pit Bosses beat up the customers.

During that last trip we "fine dined" at Jerry's Nuggat to see if the Prime Rib was still the best in town. I finished it all and still feel that it is one of the better PR bargains in LV, but only if you are a big PR eater.

For you "newbies" pls forget I said "fine dined". It's more like a fairly nice coffee shop with waitresses that more than likely served Al Capone.

Thanks, JMT

Like it or not, this is going to be one of the prime reasons for your visit to Las Vegas after it is opened.

City Center - An $11+- billion "city" built on 68-acres between The Bellagio and Monte Carlo with hidden parking structures. This will be a mini-city with its own fire station, an on-site power plant, lots of pedestrian space and a 1/4-mile Las Vegas Strip frontage.

It will focus on art and be the home of the new Cirque du Soleil Elvis production.

Eye appealing light shows will be projected against the building facades.

Harmon Road will meander through City Center and cross I-15 via an already completed bridge running along the north side of the Panorama Towers location.

Phase two will occupy the space behind and between Monte Carlo and New York New York.

The first phase will consist of the following:

4,004-room 61-story ARIA Resort & Casino
165,000-square-foot casino
400-room + 227 condos - Mandarin Oriental Hotel/Residences
400-room + 207 condos - The Harmon Hotel/Residences)
1543-unit Vdara Condo/Hotel Tower)
Twin, 337-unit luxury condo towers - Veer
500,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space - The Crystals
$40 million worth of modern sculptures and installations by world famous artists
225,000 square feet of convention and meeting space
900,000 square feet for back-of-house operations
2,000-seat theater for the Elvis show
70,000-square foot spa
7,500-car parking garage
Fire station
People movers (trams)
On-site power plant

City Center is currently the single most expensive privately funded project in the western hemisphere. (MGM Grand and Dubai Partners)

CityCenter is expected to open phase-one in November of 2009.

See you there!