Plans submitted for casino in downtown Las Vegas

Plans have been filed for the first new casino in downtown Las Vegas since 1979.

The developer, Forest City, is hoping to build the new property on a 6.4-acre site in the Union Park development west of downtown.

In exchange for the land, Forest City has agreed to first build a new city hall funded by between USD 150 million and USD 267 million in bonds.

The deal has been targeted by the powerful Culinary Union and some city council candidates who say the city hall is unnecessary and too risky in a recession.

The union has backed two ballot initiatives that could block the project.

The new resort would be 1.6 million square feet, with 120,000 square feet of casino space and 1,000 hotel rooms.