Las Vegas Mayor unveils plans for Circa 2 Casino at Symphony Park

Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley announced plans for a new casino project, Circa 2 Casino & Resort, during her State of the City address, identifying the development as a key component of ongoing revitalization efforts in the city’s Symphony Park district.

The project, led by casino developer Derek Stevens, is slated for the northeast corner of Symphony Park, just behind the Circa Parking Garage—known locally as the Garage Mahal. The 6.42-acre parcel was acquired in 2017 by PQ Holdings LLC and is currently zoned for planned development.

“These projects, along with the new medical office building, plans for a new art museum envisioned by Elaine Wynn and her team. And a casino developed by Derek Stevens on the northeast corner of Symphony Park, are all in our future,” Berkley said.

The Circa 2 project joins a growing slate of high-profile investments in Symphony Park, where civic and private leaders envision a blend of entertainment, arts, and healthcare services reshaping downtown Las Vegas.

Community reaction to the casino proposal has been mixed. Several residents expressed concern about changes to the area’s character, while others welcomed the economic potential, as reported by 8 News Now.

“I think the area is great, I am from New York, and I’m used to the foot traffic,” said resident Kai Brown. “I thought [Circa 2] was a residential property, so I don’t think a casino is great.”

“It would make me want to move, it would change the whole dynamic of the area,” said Parris Golden, another Symphony Park resident. “Ultimately, that would be a deciding factor.”

Other residents, like Miss Moody, were drawn to the neighborhood by the prospect of new developments. “It wasn’t until this came along that I was interested,” she said.

Lala Gee, who lives nearby, welcomed the project. “Wow, that’s exciting to hear, I think that’s awesome. I think casinos are very good for this community. It brings a lot of people to the neighborhood,” she said.