Monday, Sept. 16, 2002 | 11:17 a.m.
The Las Vegas Planning Commission has approved a previously announced expansion of Coast Casinos Inc.'s Suncoast hotel-casino in Summerlin.
Coast can now proceed with the permitting process by submitting building plans for review.
The company has said it expects to begin the $65 million expansion in the first half of next year. An earlier $11 million expansion at the Suncoast -- a property that has become popular with local slot players -- more than doubled hotel rooms from 200 to 419.
The expansion will add more than 100,000 square feet to the ground floor, including 51,200 square feet of casino space, a 14,400 square foot sports book and three new restaurants.
A basement expansion also will add more than 100,000 square feet, including 6,590 square feet of casino space, a 15,500 square foot bingo parlor and another public space.
A three-story parking garage will add more than 1,600 spaces.
The new casino will feature "Tuscan village imagery" and connect to the existing building just east of the casino entrance. The parking structure will stand on an existing parking lot next to the casino addition.
The planning commission approval last week included certain aesthetic requirements for the project, which is located in an affluent district of Las Vegas.
The casino and garage will use the same exterior materials and colors as existing buildings; evergreen trees will stand in a planter on Rampart Boulevard to create a sound buffer and lighting on the parking garage will feature shields that prevent glare.
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