The ambitious project proposed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. for a high-density development in Irving has taken a new direction after a significant change in plans. Originally envisioned as a “destination resort” featuring a casino, the company has now stripped away the gambling component. This move came after public pushback, community concerns, and the current legal landscape of gambling in Texas, where casino gaming remains illegal.

In a dramatic shift, just hours before the Irving City Council was set to vote on a zoning amendment, Las Vegas Sands’ senior vice president, Mark Boekenheide, asked for the removal of the casino element from the proposal. This request came following a tense public workshop where many residents voiced strong opposition to the introduction of gambling in the area. Although the Sands’ proposed resort, which had initially included casino gaming as part of its sprawling 1,001-acre development near the former Texas Stadium site, had garnered some support, it also sparked heated debate about its potential social impact.

The decision by Sands to drop the casino part of the plan was not entirely unexpected. As Boekenheide explained, “At this time, given the current status of gaming expansion legislation in the state and certainly some of the concerns that are being spoken in our several meetings here, Sands has asked the Irving City Council to remove the destination resort and gaming component from the proposal initially sent to you and instead consider approval of the balance of the uses in the rezoning entitlement.”

Originally, the vision included a high-end resort featuring a hotel, retail stores, and a sports arena, alongside the casino. However, without the legalization of gambling in Texas, the company acknowledged that the economic feasibility of such a project would be in jeopardy.

Community Opposition Pushes for Change

The Irving City Council held a lengthy meeting to deliberate on the revised proposal, which focused solely on the development of a mixed-use area that would combine residential, retail, and hotel spaces, leaving out the controversial casino. The vote, which passed with a 6-3 majority, followed a series of emotionally charged public hearings, where more than 170 residents signed up to voice their opinions.

Many speakers, including residents and local community leaders, expressed concerns about the long-term impacts of introducing a casino to Irving. “I wasn’t opposed to a development. We need economic development in the city. We need a wider variety of activities for our residents. But the issue that I had, and I think a lot of residents shared, was the issue of gaming in that zoning application,” said Irving resident Fuad Dadabhoy according to WFAA. These sentiments were echoed by others who worried that the addition of a casino would lead to increased crime and social problems.

While the council’s approval of the revised zoning plan marks a victory for those opposed to the casino, many residents remain wary. Some expressed concerns that Las Vegas Sands might try to bring the casino element back once gambling is legalized in Texas, noting that the company’s business model heavily relies on casino operations. Despite this uncertainty, there was a palpable sense of relief among the audience when the casino component was removed.

Economic Potential and Long-Term Prospects

Despite the removal of the gambling component, Las Vegas Sands’ plan for the 1,001-acre site is still a massive undertaking. The company projects that the mixed-use development could generate up to 9,000 full-time jobs and bring in billions of dollars in economic activity. The revised proposal includes plans for a hotel, shopping centers, dining options, and entertainment venues, such as a 15,000-seat arena. However, some members of the Irving City Council, like District 8 representative Dennis Webb, voiced frustration over the missed opportunity. Webb remarked, “I am sad that people keep wanting to come to Irving wanting to do something for us, and we keep losing all of these opportunities to get some great amenities for our citizens.”

The Sands’ retreat on the casino portion of the plan was partly driven by the uncertainty of when or if Texas would legalize gambling. Although the company has lobbied heavily for gambling expansion in the state, the future remains unclear. Texas lawmakers would need to pass a constitutional amendment allowing for gaming, which would then require voter approval. In the meantime, Sands Corp. may explore other options for the property, including a hotel-focused development, should gaming laws not change.