Vegas economy delays work on Echelon hotel

Published: Aug. 1, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Order reprints
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Boyd Gaming blamed tougher credit markets and a slower economy for its decision to delay construction of its $5 billion hotel project on the Las Vegas Strip.

Boyd Gaming said Friday that it remained committed to Echelon and seeking to rearrange financing with its creditors.

The company said in a written statement that the decision was made "due to the difficult environment surrounding today's capital markets and the challenging economic conditions that currently exist."

The delay was the latest sign that a slower U.S. economy was pressuring the Las Vegas economy and that tighter credit markets were making it tougher on construction.

Echelon is being built on an 87-acre site where the famed Stardust casino once stood. Its five towers will include nearly 5,000 rooms plus a huge casino, 30 restaurants and convention hall measuring 750,000 square feet. Construction began last summer.

Meanwhile, Boyd said its net revenues for the second quarter were down 6.3 percent and its was increasing its stock-repurchase budget to $100 million.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Internet, globalization shape new words (<1 min)
Teacher allegedly attacked student (3 min)
Former chancellor charged in money scheme (5 min)
Cleanup follows severe Mass. storm (8 min)
MLB: Cleveland 10, Chicago White Sox 8 (13 min)
Burris won't seek Senate seat in 2010 (19 min)
Britain aims to recruit social workers (27 min)
fark
Sears, Kmart already selling Christmas merchandise
MoveOn.org draws a crowd of 30 demonstrators in Alabama. None miss work
People were looking for sexual favors on Craigslist in exchange for tickets to Michael Jackson's...
Toronto mayor tries to tell world everything is fine; cut off as press conference attacked by giant...
"If it weren't for overdraft fees, 45% of banks and credit unions wouldn't have made money in 2008"...
Woman's cunning attempt to elude police during car chase ends when she A. Hits a tree B. Runs out...