Majestic’s stadium tax proposal doesn’t have Assembly speaker’s support

CARSON CITY — Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick said Wednesday she is not pushing Majestic Realty’s initiative to partner with the state to build a $770 million domed 60,000-seat stadium near the UNLV campus.

Instead, the North Las Vegas Democrat said she is supporting a bill backed by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas that would create a campus stadium district and 11-member authority board to plan and oversee the construction of a “Mega Events Center” stadium on the university campus. The 11-member board would include at least two hotel-casino company executives.

Kirkpatrick’s comments came a day after the Review-Journal reported that Majestic — UNLV’s former stadium partner — was pushing an alternative stadium plan to build the Mega Events Center just outside the campus on a 40-acre site and split the project cost 50-50 with the state.

Majestic’s pointman — Craig Cavileer, president of the Silverton — said he was lobbying legislators to support a $1.50 per trip taxi fee to fund the state’s share of $385 million. Majestic, owned by California billionaire developer Ed Roski, has committed $385 million.

Majestic and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas worked more than two years together on a proposed stadium, which was pitched to draw events such as concerts, fights and major college football games, in addition to UNLV football games. Majestic invested millions of dollars in the planning process before being dropped by UNLV on March 27.

Cavileer said UNLV can stage its football games for free at his proposed new site on 40 acres on East Tropicana Avenue near Koval Lane.

Majestic might have deep pockets, but what the development company lacks is time.

Assembly Majority Leader William Horne said Wednesday he would be surprised if a proposal by Majestic to get a new taxi fee approved by the Legislature to help fund the stadium project has any chance at this late date.

The Legislature must adjourn by midnight Monday.

Horne, D-Las Vegas, said he is familiar with the proposal.

“I am not supportive of Majestic’s and Mr. (Craig) Cavileer’s efforts, particularly at this late hour of us trying to get this project done,” Horne said. “On the surface, it kind of looks like sour grapes because they are not part of the project anymore.”

The effort isn’t helping the Legislature in its efforts to win approval for UNLV-backed Assembly Bill 335, which would create a public authority to oversee the proposed on-campus stadium, he said.

The bill is in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

“And I think that anybody who has been around here long enough knows that us trying to float such an endeavor at this late hour with a $1.50 cab ride fee in there has almost zero chance of happening,” Horne said.

Horne said he does not know of anyone in leadership who is seeking an emergency bill to push such a proposal.

“I would be surprised if it happens,” he said.

Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273.