Leasing details are sketchy, but opening of race-themed eatery should be a boost

Development along downtown's Fremont Street has become something of an us vs. them endeavor.

The us in this case is Neonopolis and the them is more of a they -- the new Strip megaresorts and the shops within.

As a result, Neonopolis developers say they have to be secretive about leasing efforts for their $99 million retail entertainment center.

But a lack of signed contracts on the project, combined with the secretive nature of leasing talks, have left some to question the center's future.

"We're in a highly competitive market right now," said Rob Snowden, executive vice president of World Entertainment Centers, which is developing Neonopolis. "We can't discuss names because we don't want them to know what we're doing."

The contractor is just weeks away from finishing enough of the underground parking garage to turn the construction over to the retail center portion. However, just one tenant -- Mann Theaters -- has inked a contract.

Neonopolis, a three-story entertainment center that stretches a full city block, will open Thanksgiving weekend 2000.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said he expects to learn more about tenants this week.

"I'm told a substantial amount of leases will be signed," Goodman said. "I'm advised that this week I'm going to see signed contracts."

One thing that developers hope will spur interest in Neonopolis' retail and restaurant space is the Race Rock restaurant under construction across the street in the Fremont Street Experience parking garage.

The 30,000-square-foot restaurant is set to open Nov. 4 on the second floor of the garage.

"One of the greatest resources we have right now is what's going on below us," Snowden said from the fourth floor Neonopolis leasing office two stories above the Race Rock.

Bobby Moore, president of the Orlando, Fla.-based Race Rock International, said Neonopolis was one of the reasons his racing themed restaurant chose downtown over the Strip.

"We had a couple of offers to go on the Strip," Moore said. "We wanted to go downtown. We liked the ambience of the Fremont Street Experience and this corner is going to be exciting."

Already the Race Rock is drawing looks from tourists walking below thanks to the already visible Bigfoot monster truck, Miss Budweiser speedboat and Craig Breedlove's world land speed rocket car.

The restaurant incorporates memorabilia and vehicles from all sorts of motor sports, including NASCAR.

"They're starting to ship in all these vehicles and it's really getting exciting," said Mark Paris, president of the Fremont Street Experience.

Neonopolis and Race Rock will add 250,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space downtown.

"This helps complement the Fremont Street Experience," Snowden said. "If you don't want the casino element, here's another option."

Neonopolis is being leased by Miami-based Retail Estate. If that company's clients in Coconut Grove's CocoWalk center are any sign of what Neonopolis will get, residents and tourists can expect a mix of retail, nightclubs and fashion retailers.

CocoWalk has a 16-screen AMC movie theater, and Neonopolis will have an 11-screen Mann movie theater.

Retailers at CocoWalk include Victoria's Secret, The Gap, Perfumania, Speedo, Blockbuster Music & Video and B. Dalton's Booksellers.

Restaurants or eateries at the Miami-area tourist center include The Cheesecake Factory, Fat Tuesday and Au Bon Pain. A number of south Florida restaurants and nightclubs are also featured.

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