To the naked eye, not much has changed in the year that passed since Malaysia-based Genting Group announced plans to build the $2 billion to $7 billion Resorts World Las Vegas on 87 acres on the Strip.

The concrete-and-steel structure — remnants of the unfinished Echelon development mothballed by Boyd Gaming Corp. in 2008 — remain standing. A year later, other than a few signs touting the coming of the hotel-casino, the site appears unchanged. But Resorts World Las Vegas is alive and well.

Genting representatives and government officials say the development — the Strip’s first new resort complex since 2010 — is on track to start construction this year. The Clark County Commission handed Genting the land entitlements for the site in December. “I have every confidence that they are moving forward,” Gov. Brian Sandoval said Monday.

Genting executives and architects recently were in Carson City to brief Sandoval on developments related to the planned 3,500-room Asia-themed hotel-casino. Sandoval said he is comfortable with the project’s progress.

A year ago, the governor, Clark County elected leaders, tourism officials and the business community flocked to a news conference with the leadership of Genting in the Las Vegas offices of architects Steelman Partners. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., dialed in by speaker phone from Washington, D.C., to praise the development.

The over-the-top announcement that Genting had acquired the site from Boyd Gaming for $350 million included large renderings of Resorts World Las Vegas. Developers even teased that the resort would include a live panda exhibit. The recession left Echelon and other major developments in limbo. Strip construction jobs dried up.

Politicians and chamber of commerce types were giddy with excitement that a new mega resort would revive the market. But it has been 12 months since then. Project spokesman Stefan Friedman said last week that Resorts World Las Vegas is on schedule. “It’s been a busy year, and we’re trying to be thoughtful about the development,” he said.

Read more about Resorts World at the Review Journal.