Why the FAA might be a hurdle for proposed NFL stadium

By Mick Akers

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 | 2 a.m.

If the proposed $1.9 billion domed-roof football stadium in Las Vegas is more than 200 feet above ground level, officials first need approval from the Federal Aviation Administration before they can build.

And the FAA needs at least 45 days notice before the start of construction, which they have yet to receive from the Raiders organization, says Ian Gregor, FAA public affairs manager, Pacific Division.

The Raiders, who last week gained approval from the NFL to relocate from Oakland to Las Vegas, are responsible for all matters related to stadium site preparation and any regulatory clearances, according to Brian Haynes, a representative of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority. This includes gaining airport clearance for the preferred Russell Road site, which is located across Interstate 15 from Mandalay Bay.

Under federal law, developers must give the FAA the opportunity to review construction plans near airports to see if there’s potential to pose a hazard to an aircraft or interfere with any navigation aids. The process includes filing a Form 7460, which is notice of proposed construction or alteration.

No official measurements have been released for the project, but seven of the eight NFL domed stadiums are taller than 200 feet.

Regardless, any construction that exceeds an imaginary surface extending outward and upward of a 100 to 1 slope for a horizontal distance of 20,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearest runway of an airport must submit the form. The proposed Russell Road site is 8,623 feet horizontally from McCarran International Airport, which fits inside those parameters.

With the proposed December groundbreaking still months away, the organization still has ample time to file the required form.

With the magnitude of the Raiders’ planned 65,000-seat domed stadium rather large, and its proximity to McCarran International Airport, it could take longer for the FAA to completely review the site, Gregor said..

“There is no specific timetable for us to review a project,” Gregor said. “The time it takes to review a project depends on whether we identify any issues with it and, if so, the number and severity of issues.”

Additionally, the Clark County Commission has the final say on approving the airport clearance, as the FAA will submit its findings and recommendation to the commission.

The county commission will base its assessment on county codes and other regulations the FAA might not include in its report.

The Oakland Raiders aren’t commenting on stadium issues. The stadium, which will be shared by UNLV football, is scheduled to open for the 2020 NFL season. State lawmakers approved $750 million in funding from hotel-room taxes to partially fund the project.