Las Vegas Businesses Unite to Block 2024 Grand Prix Following Huge Losses Last Year

The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix stirred more than just the roar of engines; it ignited a fiery debate among local business owners grappling with the aftermath of the event. With financial setbacks totaling a staggering $30 million, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that a coalition of proprietors has launched a determined online campaign to potentially thwart the slated occurrence of the 2024 race.

Spearheaded by six business owners deeply impacted by road closures and infrastructural alterations, this group is rallying others to appeal directly to the Clark County Commission to contest the issuance of a special use permit for the forthcoming event.

The petition, titled "Stop the Las Vegas Grand Prix," began its digital journey on May 3, strategically utilizing platforms like Change.org to galvanize public support and highlight grievances accumulated from the preceding race.

Key Demands from the Petition

• Denial of the special use permit until lingering issues from 2023 are resolved, including restitution for business losses.

• Comprehensive measures to mitigate traffic and logistical challenges.

• Greater transparency and community engagement in planning and execution phases.

Gino Ferraro, proprietor of Ferraro’s Ristorante and a vocal coalition advocate, lamented the absence of engagement from Formula One officials despite decades of establishment presence within the local landscape.

Efforts to elicit responses from the Las Vegas Grand Prix representatives yielded silence, amplifying perceptions of a lack of accountability and dialogue regarding the race's impacts.

The petition quickly gained traction, surpassing initial signature goals as it resonated with the broader local community. By Monday’s close, it had reached 726 signatures, predominantly from ZIP codes 89121, 89122, and 89148 — highlighting the geographic concentration of discontent.

Coalition’s Broader Goals

• Ensure accessible avenues for public discourse and fair representation for affected parties.

• Exhaust administrative channels before pursuing potential legal action.

• Use the petition as leverage to push for structural and procedural reforms.

Testimonials from affected business owners have punctuated county commission meetings, spotlighting the widespread economic strain.
One signatory, Alicia Marujo, described the 2023 event as a “traffic disaster” that severely disrupted commutes and city operations.

In response to the backlash, Grand Prix officials pledged to reduce traffic disruptions by shortening the operational period from nine months to three.

Still, apprehensions linger, especially concerning temporary bridge installations and potential revenue losses for nearby businesses.

The Road Ahead

As debates intensify, the Las Vegas Grand Prix stands at a crossroads. The collective voice of local businesses now plays a pivotal role in determining whether the 2024 race proceeds as planned. One thing remains clear — the event’s impact stretches far beyond the racetrack.