MGM Resorts International has announced that it will soon begin charging for parking on the Las Vegas Strip
The MGM also announced that it would construct a a $54-million, 3,000-space parking structure near the northwest corner of the Excalibur Hotel campus that will serve to absorb further visitor growth and enhance the experience of attendees of events at nearby resorts and entertainment venues.
The new parking garage is designed to serve the T-Mobile Arena, The Park and the Theater at the Monte Carlo hotel-casino and provide additional onsite parking for employees. Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2016, with completion scheduled in the 2nd quarter of 2017.
In addition, the company says it is investing $36 million to improve current parking facilities. Among the planned improvements:
-- Redesigned parking facility layouts to improve accessibility
-- Parking guidance systems that will guide guests to available spaces
-- Mobile technology allowing visitors to check space availability prior to arrival
-- Upgraded lighting, LED signage, paint and striping
-- Elevator and escalator upgrades and enhancements
Guests utilizing self-park facilities will be able to check real-time availability from a smartphone and quickly find a space by following dynamic signs and LED guidance.
MGM says an overnight guest utilizing a self-park facility will pay $10 or less. Las Vegas locals will be given a grace period for free parking after the program starts and can maintain their free-parking status by enrolling and earning privileges through M life, the Company’s customer loyalty program. Non-resident guests can also earn free-parking status through the M life program.
There will also be a modest fee to use the valet.
The parking fee program will be implemented in the second quarter of 2016.
It was originally reported by VegasTripping.com and Action News in October that MGM was considering a plan to begin charging for parking. At that time, MGM would not comment on any possible plans.
EARLIER STORY
A big part of the Las Vegas Strip will soon slash away its most basic freebie: parking.
MGM Resorts International will announce Friday that it will become the first major casino company to start charging visitors for parking this year.
Most of the casino giant's properties will charge $10 or less for overnight self-parking. They are Mandalay Bay, Delano, Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Vdara, Aria, Bellagio, The Mirage and MGM Grand.
The move could bring in millions of dollars of revenue each year and change the landscape of the tourism hotspot that's increasingly catering to visitors who come for other pricey attractions besides gambling.
The charges will begin this spring, coinciding with the April opening of the company's T-Mobile Arena.
MGM also will build a nine-story parking garage and improve existing ones.
