Tropicana Las Vegas begins deconstruction, asbestos remains on the inside

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — It’s closed and is coming down, but not before dangerous material is removed from a relic of 1950s Vegas.

Portions of the former Tropicana Las Vegas property are amid deconstruction a month to the day of it’s early-April closure. The parking structure was mostly a pile of rubble while the porte cochere no longer completely shades the north entrance.

Some popped-out guestroom windows were visible too behind boarded-up walls around portions of the property’s perimeter. They are glimpses of the work happening on the inside, where an inspection said the real deconstruction hurdles lie.

The work is to clear way for a new baseball stadium. The Bally’s Corporation, operator of the former hotel, told shareholders they’re on track to pass property keys over to the A’s in about five months.

“Having recently receiving receipt of the necessary permits we’re expect to demolish the Tropicana in October,” CEO Robeson Reeves said during the corporation’s quarterly earnings call Wednesday.

But, they don’t have all the permits they need. Namely, a blasting permit has not been signed off on yet. 8 News Now first reported the corporation’s intention to implode its two guestroom towers.

All Clark County has approved are a demolition and dust-control permit, hence the work seen now. But, per a pre-inspection report performed in November and December last year, asbestos was found inside.

The common insulation method of the day is now known to cause disease if inhaled. Without its removal, and per local air quality regulations, hopes of implosion will go up in dust.

Jim Gibson, the Clark County commissioner who represents the district the property lies in, told 8 News Now last month that a blasting permit would not be approved until safety of those living and vacationing around it is ensured.

Bally’s Corporation tells 8 News Now that a licensed asbestos abatement contractor is currently working through the property, but did not comment on how long that work will take. Clark County confirmed a blasting permit application has yet to be filed.