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UPDATE: Neighbors to Moulin Rouge site fighting for fair land sale

County decides not to buy Moulin Rouge site
Posted at 11:04 AM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-21 21:27:10-05

UPDATE NOV. 21: The Clark County Commission decided on Tuesday morning that they would not buy the site of the former Moulin Rouge hotel and casino. The county was planning to build a new Department of Family Services on the property. However, they changed their minds because of the number of people who spoke out against it. 

Scott Johnson, president of Las Vegas Moulin Rouge LLC, now hopes to build a casino on the property.

"We'll bring in jobs to the community, jobs in the construction phase and jobs once the casino gets built," Johnson said.

Neighboring apartment owners say they're being forced out to make way for a sale.

Maria Loeza and Socorro Keenan have been fighting in court for years to hold onto their homes.

They feel bids like Johnson's are lowball offers. They're open to selling, but want a fair negotiation.

"We can get it right and they can buy [the site] and they can grow something incredbile," Keenan said. "We're all for that."

UPDATE NOV. 15: Dozens of people showed up for a town hall meeting on Thursday night to discuss the fate of the site where the former Moulin Rouge occupied. The county is still considering what to do with the land. 

ORIGINAL STORY

The Clark County Commission is holding a town hall meeting on Thursday to discuss the future of the historic Moulin Rouge site in Las Vegas. 

The county was initially planning on buying the property and using it as a site for a new building. However, the commission postponed approval of the purchase last Thursday until they could get input from the community. The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pearson Community Center.

Although the original building is long gone, 13 Action News spoke to people who want to preserve the history of Moulin Rouge.

The Moulin Rouge opened on May 24, 1955. It was the first integrated hotel-casino in Las Vegas. The hotel was opened by four men who realized the need for a hotel in Las Vegas where everyone was welcome. Many black entertainers in the 50s, including Sammy Davis Jr., would stay at the hotel because they were not allowed to stay at the hotels they performed at on the Las Vegas Strip. 

PREVIOUS STORIES

 

Officals: Fires at Moulin Rouge site could be intentional
Clark County planning to buy Moulin Rouge property
Judge rejects bid to build on Moulin Rouge site in Las Vegas