The Las Vegas Valley could get another airport

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Just when you thought we’ve stretched the limits when it comes to development, the idea of a new airport south of Las Vegas is taking off again.

If approved, the airport would be built off Interstate 15, between Jean and Primm.

The proposal is in the early stages. The first thing the county has to do is conduct an Environmental Impact Study.

The location for the airport wouldn’t be far from Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada, the oldest bar in Southern Nevada.

Inside the watering hole, you can always find a good tale of the Wild West.

Chad Hanson is a bartender at Pioneer Saloon. He’s also a storyteller and can talk to just about anybody.

“It inspires me that people like holding onto history,” explained Chad Hanson. “When younger adults come through and they're like amazed by everything, like this is real? Like yeah, we didn't fabricate a 105-year-old saloon.”

Hanson knows the saloon soon could have a new neighbor. A noisy neighbor at that.

Clark County is reviving plans to open an airport on nearby undeveloped federal land.

“This is a smart thing to do. It's as close as we could get. It works,” said Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson.

Gibson said a growing Valley and a crowded McCarran International Airport means making decisions now that could pay off down the road.

“There could come, and surely there will come a time in the future, when we will need to address congestion in a different way. And when that happens we need to have the available site ready,” explained Gibson.

The site has been ready for years.

News 3 archives from 2007 reveal the county predicted the airport would be built in 2017 and new housing communities would surround it.

“In terms of housing right next to it, it's highly unlikely that would ever happen. I think there would be housing near it for the workforce to have access to the airport,” said Gibson.

Back at Pioneer Saloon, Hanson knows a new airport could bring new business to the bar. He would look forward to more tourists looking for cocktails and the chance to share stories of the Wild West with strangers.

“I feel like that would be okay for me. It's job security,” said Hanson.