The "Plaza Smell"

[TAPPER]

I see the aromatics of the Plaza commented on from time to time in various threads. I apologize if there is a thread specifically regarding it that I missed and should have followed.

I had a chance to sit down with Plaza CEO Jonathan Jossel back in November. I asked him about "the smell" and he explained the situation and what they're trying to do.

There is a sewer main that runs under the Plaza, and of course it includes sewer stink. I got a pretty good whiff of it when exiting the Plaza on the south side. It's pretty bad, or at least was that day. The Plaza attempts to mask that odor with a perfumey scent they pump into the casino. They're constantly trying to get the balance right, but it is difficult because the perfume pumps out at various spots in the casino and at different levels, and the sewer may be stronger or lower from day to day. Depending where you are and your "powers of smell" you may detect the perfume as very high or almost non-existent (and then possibly pick up the sewer scent).

They intend to really tackle the sewer issue in 2017, but obviously this will be difficult because we're talking a sewer main running under the building.

I personally thought the scent wasn't too bad on my last trip. I couldn't smell sewer, but could smell the perfume at a moderately low level. It didn't bother me and I forgot about it after about 10 minutes in the casino.

It has gotten better in my opinion, and hopefully they can resolve it once and for all this year.

 

[atarirob]

It's one of those things that I don't notice. I think that's because I have the old Plaza smell burned into my head which could be described as "wet dog". We used to play poker there in the mid 2000s and would joke about the stench.

Me and a buddy of mine started to stay at the Plaza after the renovation in 2010. The perfume smell was quite an upgrade from the old smell which we still joke about.

 

[wisconsin terp]

I only catch the smallest whiff when I come through the doors by valet and then I'm in the casino and I don't smell it again.

 

[TJC]

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

 

[Electroguy563]

I always thought it was because the carpet got flooded and that smell was from dirty carpet. But "wet dog" describes it pretty accurately.

 

[MikeOPensacola]

Great post OP. Thx. The smell there hasn't really bothered me since about 2013. There seem to be a few CET strip properties where it is worse.

 

[bubbakitty]

That is why you have vents sticking out of the top of your house in order to give an exit to somewhat offensive and possibly toxic fumes. Masking the smell doesn't take away the fumes only disguises them. But they wouldn't be toxic or more problems would be reported than odors.
There must be a crack or other escape for the odors which cannot be detected without examination. You would think the city could provide some assistance. Good post.

 

[TFK]

The Plaza smells awful. It wasn't as bad as it used to be last time I was there, but it was still awful. I find people who smoke don't notice the smell as much as non smokers do.

Nothing matched the smell of the El Cortez back in the day. That smell hit you like a brick wall when you entered the place. It smelled like a giant foot smoking a giant cigarette.


TFK

 

[Camp Rusty]

........"They are constantly trying to get the balance right"......

I think this is one of the funniest things I ever read, poor guy, that is a hard question to field.

Kind of like having to figure out the right amount of potpourri in a airplane lavatory.

We were in there two or three years ago and I don't recall a thing......musta' been a balance right wind conditions that day.

 

[jefftune]

When I was there about 10 yrs ago the smell was bad - even my wife the smoker noticed it. I wandered in there last spring and didn't notice any smell at all.

 

[vegasdev]

balancing raw sewer funk and an annoying pumped in fragrance.... I am not sure that there is a WIN in that situation. the fragrance overkill triggers an allergy melt-down for me. I can never stay in the Plaza for too long. same at the ELCO.

 

[justchuck]

I visited the Plaza a couple of weeks ago, and Yes, I was very much aware of the odor or pumped in fragrance. I didn't stay long.

 

[FullPay]

I've always smelled the Plaza perfume, never caught a whiff of sewer. Fifteen years ago the Downtown sewer smell was everywhere and they managed to clear out a lot of blockage that contributed to it. The most famous odor was the Golden Gate, it smelled like a men's room the morning after a beer fight. I think everyone assumed it was the plumbing until they did a remodel and found mold under the flooring.

 

[topcard]

The most famous odor was the Golden Gate, it smelled like a men's room the morning after a beer fight.

I always thought it was more like a horse stable that hadn't been cleaned in a long while...& it was always in the same spot - right when you walked in from that corner entrance nearest to the Nugget....I never smelled it beyond about 15 feet after walking in... (oh, and I'm a Texan... many of us actually do know what an uncleaned stable smells like!)

 

[siwst852]

I tot

balancing raw sewer funk and an annoying pumped in fragrance.... I am not sure that there is a WIN in that situation. the fragrance overkill triggers an allergy melt-down for me. I can never stay in the Plaza for too long. same at the ELCO.

I totally agree allergy melt down in both places. We walked thru going to Oscars and we both agreed if it smelled like that up in the restaurant we would leave. Thankfully it didn't. It is beyond my comprehension when people say they can't smell it. They must be the folks who walk by with cologne/perfume on you can smell 10 feet away.

 

[Blonde_4_ever]

I agree with the original poster. The situation has improved. I stay there every six months and sit in that casino for hours and am not aware of any overpowering air freshener.

I hope people visit and form their own opinions.

 

[vegasdev]

I tot

I totally agree allergy melt down in both places. We walked thru going to Oscars and we both agreed if it smelled like that up in the restaurant we would leave. Thankfully it didn't. It is beyond my comprehension when people say they can't smell it. They must be the folks who walk by with cologne/perfume on you can smell 10 feet away.

yes, I think you may be right. perhaps those people are nose blind as they say.

 

[Blonde_4_ever]

I am not "nose blind". On the contrary...I can smell alcohol on my husband's breath from 30 paces.

 

[tvon]

I've never noticed a sewer smell. But about 10-15 years ago it STUNK in there as other posters have mentioned. Wet dog, just yuck. Now its much better, but it does seem to have more "fragrance" than other casinos.

 

[vegasdev]

I don't think the sewer smell is constant, but it wafts in all too periodically. don't get me wrong, I don't hate the plaza. I go there for the 777 slot tourney, or a coupon run, but I don't stay long. the sports book is pretty big for downtown as well. also, I have always loved their exterior lights, so you see -- its not all bad. I cant say much for the hotel. I have been IN the rooms, but never had a comped room offer.