Confirming reports dating back to last September when it first closed, CBS/Paramount says it has signed a contract to return "Star Trek: The Experience" to Las Vegas, this time at the Neonopolis Center.

"It is a bit premature to talk about it, but I can confirm that a contract has been signed," Liz Kalodner, an executive vice president and general manager of CBS consumer products, told SciFi Wire.

The attraction, which first opened in 1998 but was closed last year when Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. didn't renew its contract with the Las Vegas Hilton, will reopen at the Neonopolis Center on May 8, the same time "Star Trek XI" is expected to premiere in theaters.

The closing of the attraction caught a lot of Star Trek fan, as well as the franchise's alumni, by surprise, even though rumors had circulated for some time before that "The Experience's" days at the Hilton were numbered.

A "decommissioning" ceremony was held at the attraction on Sept. 1, and was attended by a few actors like Chase Masterson from "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and Garrett Wang from "Star Trek: Voyager."

Even the penultimate episode of "Stargate: Atlantis" called "Vegas," which starred former "Voyager" actor Robert Picardo, made a reference to the attraction's closing.

But a fresh start at Neonopolis is the way to go, it seems.

"This is going to be a major part of the downtown redevelopment we have been working on, and the city department of business development has been trying to encourage attractions like this to the area," Jace Radke, Las Vegas' public information officer, told SciFi Wire.

But Neonopolis does have its challenges. The 250,000-square-foot shopping mall cost $100 million to build, but has been considered a failure, sitting on top a city parking garage. It has been passed through a number of owners during its time, being purchased by developer Rohit Joshi in 2006 for $25 million, according to Wikipedia. He said at the time he would rename the complex Fremont Square, but it seems that the name Neonopolis will remain for now.

Although the complex has lost two major tenants in the past -- Poker Dome and the popular restaurant Jillians -- it seems that Neonopolis is getting a rebirth, and "The Experience" could be the anchor. Two new restaurants have opened and the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art relocated there last September.

Telemundo is leasing 17,500 square feet to use as a broadcast studio, and a bar called Wet Ultra opened last December.

It's not clear all of what will move over with the "The Experience," but for now, it seems that an updated version of Quark's Restaurant and Bar is planned as well as a Museum of the Future. At the same time, it looks like admission will be cheaper, ranging between $20 and $25. Joshi, the complex's owner, says he expects as many as 7 million visitors will come to "The Experience" each year.