New Cement Plant Planned for Nevada Desert

CH2M HILL Lockwood Greene to Design $300 million Cement Plant

CH2M HILL Lockwood Greene has secured a contract from FLSmidth to provide structural and architectural design for Ash Grove Cement Company's new $300 million Portland cement plant in Moapa, Nevada. CH2M HILL Lockwood Greene will be providing the structural and architectural designs for the facility including the primary crusher, limestone storage, raw mill production, exhaust gas conditioning, preheater, kiln, clinker cooler, cement mill, coal mill and rail/truck unloading facilities. The preheater for the plant will be a six-stage 450-ft. tall tower. Limestone for the facility will be mined from an area approximately five miles away, sent through a crusher located near the quarry, and then transported to the facility using a five-mile long belt conveyor. Design is expected to be completed in October 2006. Shop drawing review will continue throughout 2007.

The Korte Company Begins Catholic Church Construction

The Korte Company has begun the mass grading and preparatory work for the new construction of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall. The Korte Company will begin construction on the 800-seat capacity assembly hall this month with a scheduled completion of December of 2006.

The site masterplan includes a 2,000-seat capacity church, making it the largest suburban church in the Diocese of Las Vegas. Also slated for the site is a Catholic school. The total cost of the current phase of the project is estimated at $10 million.

The Korte Company was also recently chosen as the general contractor for Fire Station #47, located at Far Hills Avenue and Ridge Pine Street in Summerlin, Nevada. Construction for the 10,738-sq.-ft. facility began in May, and is expected to finish by the end of the year. When complete, the $3.9 million facility will feature state-of-the-art response and safety mechanisms as well as a number of amenities for the crew of firefighters.

W Las Vegas Announces Development Partners

M.J. Dean Construction has been named general contractor of the 24.5-acre W Las Vegas Hotel, Casino and Residences project located at Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane. Also named to the project are Klai Juba Architects, Lacina Heitler Architects and Charles Allem Designs. The W Las Vegas is being developed through a partnership between Edge Resorts and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

The project will encompass a mix of hotel and condo-hotel units and features multiple restaurants, destination spa, theatre, distinctive shopping, a meetings facility and an expansive pool area. It will also be the brand's first property with a casino.

In January, W Las Vegas secured $232.5 million in pre-development financing led by Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Banking. Utility installation work has begun on the site and M.J. Dean is currently building a 7,200-sq.-ft., $5 million Welcome Center at the site of the future property.

Studios, one-bedroom units and suites ranging from 500 to 3,000 sq. ft. will be available for purchase and can be combined to form larger residences.

Miracle Mile Shops Unveiled

Boulevard Invest, the joint venture of Tri Star Capital and RFR Holding, and owners of The Shops in Desert Passage, revealed the shopping center's re-branding as the Miracle Mile Shops in conjunction with the exterior and interior reconstruction throughout the center. The renovation is expected to be completed in 2007.

Miracle Mile Shops, named in part to promote the 1.5 miles of retail space the mall covers, signals the center's transformation to a sleeker, more urbanized and contemporary space. The $50 million makeover will focus on de-theming the center's elaborate Moroccan design for a more streamlined, clean and modern atmosphere in a move to create synergy with the $200 million renovation and re-branding of the Aladdin Hotel & Casino into the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino.

The project team includes the architectural firms Gensler of Nevada and the Friedmutter Group, in conjunction with construction group Flagship Construction Co.

Planned enhancements to the interior include new flooring, brighter interior lighting, streamlined and modernized storefronts and kiosks and a completely de-themed interior and an interactive directional system. Gensler is also designing a three-story sculptural facade element, which identifies the entry to the mall.

Plans for the center's exterior includes adding people movers for better access into the mall, a backlit sidewalk water feature and state-of-the-art LED video offering continuous streaming imagery. Additionally, the mall's entrances and existing retail locations on the facade will be made over with floor-to-ceiling glass vestibule doors and storefronts. Finally, the new exterior will include a new patio and terrace to extend out to the sidewalk and invite potential customers inside.

The Light Group Develops Spa Lofts in Las Vegas

The Light Group announces the development Spa Lofts, a 140-unit, five-story luxury loft project located at I-215 and Rainbow Blvd., a short distance from the Las Vegas Strip. The property centers around a world-class spa facility, offering everything from a state-of-the-art gym to professional spa services. The loft-style units will range from 1,100 to 1,700-sq.-ft. from pool to penthouse levels with a variety of floor plans. Units are slated to run $400,000 to $600,000. The project is anticipated to break ground in February 2007, with an expected completion date of February 2008.

Downtown Vegas Mixed-Use Development Begins Utilities

juhl, a mixed-use development to be located at the southeast corner of Bonneville Avenue and Third Street, began a $600,000 undergrounding and relocation of utilities this week. The $167 million project is being developed by CityMark Development, a San Diego-based development firm dedicated to revitalizing urban areas of distinction and unique historic heritage by creating innovative residences that enhance the quality of life.

Above and below-ground utilities such as water, wastewater, power, phone, gas and cable services will be tapped, relocated underground and connected to the juhl building site several blocks away. Connecting the hubs to the 2.5-acre property are 14,000 ft. of new six- and four-inch conduits.

Current construction also includes the demolition of four on-property buildings. The new development consists of six towers, ranging from six to 15 stories, and features 341 walk-up, loft, penthouse and studio units as well as 24,000 sq. ft. of dedicated retail space.

Residential features include 10-ft. ceilings with exposed mechanicals, floor-to-ceiling dual-glazed windows for sound insulation, and low emission glass for sun protection and energy efficiency. The project also includes a two-story state-of-the-art fitness facility and a rooftop courtyard featuring a pool.