COLUMN: `Desert's finest' reopens in Boulder City

In Southern Nevada, where we are used to seeing hotels imploded for the next generation of bigger and better ones, a group of citizens saw their dream finalized as the historic Boulder Dam Hotel reopened June 5 in Boulder City.

The hotel was built in the early 1930s and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It had fallen into disrepair over the decades and an eight-year effort was put forth to bring the building back to its former glory as the centerpiece of Boulder City. Of the original 83 rooms, 22 are open and operating in a bed and breakfast-style operation.

When new, the hotel was billed as "the desert's finest modern air-conditioned hotel." It hosted royalty, celebrities, VIPs and, some say, ghosts. As well as overnight guests, the hotel also houses the Boulder City Hoover Dam Museum, Boulder City Art Guild Gallery, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, Tiffany's restaurant, offices and boutiques.

Joe Pittman, one of the hotel's original bellmen, was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. His wife, Ann Pittman, was a waitress in the restaurant. Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling well and missed the ceremony.

Bill Ferrence, president of the Boulder Dam Hotel Association, said the hotel had barely survived a succession of owners who either failed or lost interest in the operation and by 1992, it had fallen to "almost flop-house status."

"The Fire Department had to order the hotel closed and its future was in grave doubt," Ferrence said. "That's when unofficial `Friends of the Hotel' began meeting to see if the grand old building could be saved."

The association was created in 1993 by members of the Boulder City Arts Council, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, Boulder City Museum and Historical Association, and the city government. The association pooled its resources and obtained some private funding, as well as state and county grants.

"The most enthusiastic support has come from the residents themselves who have given tirelessly of their time and talents to clean, paint, plant and take part in a series of fund-raising events," Ferrence said.

Leading the effort have been Vern and Darlene Burk, who served as managers of the project during the construction period. The new hotel manager is Tim Tilman. The Burks have an office and gallery in the hotel.

Among the Boulder City residents who worked hard on the effort was ever-modest Linda Faiss, principal in the Faiss Foley Merica public relations firm. Faiss was instrumental in getting the media coverage that accompanied the grand reopening of the hotel.

Ferrence said the association received invaluable assistance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' nationally ranked College of Hotel Administration in planning for the opening and operation of the hotel.

"We could not have done it without them," he said.

Led by Ph.D. candidate Emmett Steed, who spent 25 successful years in the hotel industry, eight UNLV students prepared the marketing plan, operating plan and financial pro forma for the hotel.

Ferrence said income from leased spaces and hotel rooms will provide for continued improvement and maintenance of the hotel, as well as debt retirement.

If you're looking for something to do on Father's Day, take dear ol' dad out to lunch at Tiffany's restaurant in the Boulder Dam Hotel, then roam the building. The museum alone is worth the trip. It features several interactive sites and will be rotating displays to keep them fresh. Dad and the kids will love it.

Carmel Hopkins, real estate product manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@ lasvegasnewspapers.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

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