UNLVNow

FAQ

What is UNLVNow?

UNLVNow is a proposal to revitalize the northwest part of the university's main campus.

Project elements include:

• A mega-events center that would give UNLV a state-of-the-art home for its athletics teams and provide the region with the only events center capable of hosting concerts, sports, and other special events for more than 55,000 spectators.
• A student village offering housing, dining, and shopping, as well as the retail and service activities customarily found adjacent to or as part of residential campuses.

How much will it cost?

Final costs are still being determined.

The university’s contribution would be land, its image and brand, and its tax status. Options for naming rights, founder contributions, media income, and related funding for the project will begin once the final site, design, and cost have been determined.

Student tuition/fees will not be used to support the UNLVNow project.

How will UNLVNow impact the local economy?

The ability to host large-scale events for more than 20,000 spectators in a modern facility will give Las Vegas a competitive advantage. An economic impact report indicates that UNLVNow would bring 15 or more new major events to the Las Vegas market each year. Those events will bring $393.2 million in direct economic benefit to the community – with $66 million in new spending on the campus alone. According to Las Vegas Events (LVE), the mega-events center would have more positive economic impact than all the company’s events now do on an annual basis.

(See economic impact report by Mark Rosentraub and the University of Michigan Center for Sport Management.)

What's the status of the project?

UNLV is concluding its exclusive negotiation agreement with Majestic effective May 27, 2013.

UNLV is now working closely with Nevada lawmakers to enact Assembly Bill 335 in the Nevada Legislature, which would create a tax increment district on UNLV’s campus and play a key role in moving the project forward. AB 335 will play key role in funding and governance for this project. It facilitates and ensures that all stakeholders are included in planning and development process by creating an "Authority,” similar to the LVCVA, to work on the mega-events center and provide direct engagement in the development process from both public and private officials. If passed, the legislation will also create a revenue mechanism (the tax increment district) to help fund university costs for the UNLVNow project. 

The university also is having conversations with the project’s stakeholders to determine the appropriate the size and scope of the center. UNLVNow is a large, complex and important project—significant on many levels for the campus and our community. The UNLVNow team feels it is essential to be responsive to partners and the resort industry to make this project right for the university and the community. 

Is UNLV counting on the mega-events center revenue to fund university programs?

UNLVNow is a game changer for the university and the community — it will better connect the campus to the community and the tourism industry by bringing signature events year-round and returning all of UNLV’s athletics programs to campus. The mega-events center would, like the Thomas & Mack Center, serve as a community asset, benefitting the university in the process. Any revenues UNLV enjoys from the mega-events center’s operations will also enhance the campus’s academic programs and activities.

While these additional funds would significantly benefit the university and its programs, they are estimates and cannot be “counted” as a revenue stream.

According to an economic impact report conducted by the University of Michigan Center for Sport Management, it is reasonable to assume the mega-events center would draw at least 15 new major events annually. With 15 annual events, the facility would have an annual direct economic impact of $393.2 million locally – with more than $66 million in new spending on the UNLV campus alone.

How does planning for the proposed student village relate to the mega-events center?

Current planning is focused on the mega-events center portion of the UNLVNow project. UNLV expects that additional planning for the student village component will begin after more details on the mega-events center are solidified.  All future planning and prospective business terms regarding the student village will first be presented to the Board of Regents for approval.

How will parking and mega-events center traffic be addressed?

Efficient access, transit, and parking availability are important components of the project, as is improved transit to support the mega-events center. Through the campus’s master planning efforts that were approved in December by the Board of Regents, the traffic, transportation, and parking requirements of the entire UNLV Maryland Campus were studied. 

In addition to many intersection improvements around and inside the campus, we assume a strong partnership with RTC for use of Harmon as a transit corridor to move individuals to and from the mega-events center.

The campus parking plan is based on a "distributed" model so that we do not rely on one major way in and out of the campus (Harmon Avenue) but have parking structures around the campus, all within short walks of the mega-events center. Distributed access to campus parking will relieve congestion at specific entry points but will also support campus parking efforts during the academic week. The student village will have dedicated parking as outlined in the campus master plan.

Currently, there are more than 12,000 parking spaces on the campus to support academic needs and events in the Thomas & Mack Center (TMC). The plan with the mega-events center is to increase the total number of parking spaces to 23,500.

Are there any renderings?

Not at this time.

What happens to Sam Boyd Stadium and affected athletic fields?

There is no final plan on the disposition of Sam Boyd Stadium if the mega-events center is constructed. All relocation of existing facilities has been considered in the new master plan.

(Last updated 4.1.13)