Phase 2A of the Carson City Freeway Begins

The $45 million project, awarded to Road and Highway Builders of Reno, involves constructing a 2-mi, six-lane freeway from U.S. 50 east to Fairview Drive. An earlier phase, opened to traffic in February 2006 for $70 million, completed the first half of the freeway from the north end of Carson City at U.S. 395 to U.S. 50 east.

Besides the 2-mi section of new freeway, phase 2A includes completing the interchange at U.S. 50 east, reconstructing Fifth Street to go over the new freeway and constructing a partial interchange at Fairview Drive. Soundwalls, improved drainage and a multi-use pedestrian/bike path will also be included in the project.

When completed, the entire Carson City freeway will extend from Lakeview Hill to the intersection of U.S. 395 and U.S. 50/Spooner Summit. Currently, more than 45,000 vehicles a day use Carson Street with more than 50,000 vehicles per day expected by 2010. Motorists traveling through Carson City do not currently have an alternative travel choice but to drive through the capital's main thoroughfare.

MGM Mirage and Dubai World Conclude Vegas CityCenter Deal

MGM MIRAGE and Dubai World, four months after its initial announcement, completed their joint-venture agreement on Nov. 15, resulting in a 50/50 ownership of the $7.4 billion CityCenter mixed-use development on the Las Vegas Strip. MGM MIRAGE contributed CityCenter assets valued at $5.4 billion, while Dubai World paid $2.96 billion for a 50% project stake. The joint venture, CityCenter Holdings LLC, retained $490 million to fund near-term construction costs. The 76-acre, 18.67 million-sq-ft complex will occupy the space along Las Vegas Boulevard between the Monte Carlo and Bellagio resorts. Plans call for six cast-in-place concrete towers with post-tensioned floor slabs and glass exteriors, flanked by steel-framed low-rise buildings. Buildings will house residences, hotels, casinos, shops, restaurants and showrooms. It's the largest privately-developed construction project in U.S. history, officials claim. It's also the largest green development ever attempted.

Perini Building Co. is the general contractor; Tishman Construction Corp. of New York City is the construction manager; and San Francisco-based Gensler is the master architect. CityCenter, which broke ground in July 2006, calls for a 61-story, 4,000-room resort and casino, 550,000 sq ft of retail and entertainment space, and 2,650 condominiums and condo-hotel units. MGM MIRAGE will continue its role as project developer, and will operate the resort casino, retail and condo-hotel portions upon completion for an unspecified fee. CityCenter is on target to finish in November 2009.

Jobsite Fatality in Las Vegas Fifth for Perini During 2007

Perini Building Co. suffered its fifth construction jobsite fatality this year. On Nov. 27, David Rabun, 30, plummeted 50 ft to his death at Perini's $3-billion, 2,998-room Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino project on Las Vegas Boulevard at Harmon Avenue. The twin 600-ft-tall condo-hotel tower development abuts another Perini project - the $7.4-billion, 18.67-million-sq-ft CityCenter, scene of four project-related deaths this year.

Rabun, a member of the Ironworkers Local 433, was attaching a beam to an upper floor at the Cosmopolitan site. A beam to which he was harnessed fell to the ground, taking him with it, says Scott Allison, spokesman for the Clark County Fire Dept. Rabun was rushed to University Medical Center, but died later that afternoon of massive head trauma. Nevada's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident.

The 6.9-million-sq-ft Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino is scheduled to finish in late 2009. The developer is 3700 Associates LLC.

The Frontier: Out; The Plaza: In

The Plaza begins the entry into the Las Vegas gaming and hospitality market with the implosion of the Frontier Hotel & Casino. New York-based ELAD Group and Israel-based IDB Group have partnered on this venture and jointly will be known as ELAD IDB Las Vegas LLC. The multi-billion-dollar project will be the first of its kind in Las Vegas. For the company, it will be the first of many gaming ventures. Once completed, The Plaza is set to be the second largest private real estate development in the world. The project's expected completion is set for 2011 and will create at least 15,000 new jobs in Las Vegas. The Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas will be a multi-use property and will feature an ultra-luxury hotel, private residences, retail outlets, a state-of-the-art casino, destination restaurants, an entertainment venue and a convention complex. Excavation of the site is set to begin in the third quarter 2008.

JVC Architects Announces Construction of Salvation Army Chapel

JVC Architects announces that construction is underway for the Salvation Army chapel on its Las Vegas campus at 37 Owens Ave. The 5,000-sq-ft chapel features a simple contemporary design consisting of a bell wall, sanctuary, small prayer room and support facilities, as well as demolition of an existing chapel. The main challenge JVC Architects faced in designing the chapel was creating harmony between the chapel and its surrounding environment. To achieve this, the firm incorporated exterior courtyards in the design. Breslin Builders is the general contractor for the $1.4 million project, which is scheduled for completion in Summer 2008.

Historic Landmark Remodel Bolsters Downtown's Revitalization

YWS Architects Ltd. was selected by El Cortez Hotel & Casino to redesign its 29,000-sq-ft Ogden House Tower located east of the property. The remodel of the existing five-story Ogden House Tower will encompass 64 rooms including mini-suites and super-suites, an expanded entrance lobby, an enhanced fitness center and a landscaped walkway providing convenient access to the Ogden House from the El Cortez. 

El Cortez renovations, including the Ogden House Tower remodel, will become a part of the East Fremont Street Corridor upon its scheduled completion in early 2008.

The exterior design of the Ogden House Tower will feature design materials reminiscent of the 1950s, such as natural stone, bright colors and plaster finishes and distinct lampposts and planters.  The interior remodel will feature steel awnings, vertical shade structures made of specially treated steel and a gas-less and vent-free fireplace.

Future plans for additional renovations at the El Cortez include the transformation of an existing bar into a performance lounge featuring live entertainment, remodel of the entire casino floor, restaurants and back-of-house areas.  The addition of a pool adjacent to the Ogden House is also planned.  

Granite Construction Awarded for Project of the Year

The Reno Transportation Rail Access Corridor (ReTRAC) has been named Public Works Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). Granite Construction Company served as general contractor for the project.

ReTRAC is the largest public works project commenced in northern Nevada. Currently running through the downtown Reno area, the 2.1-mi-long section of the Union Pacific Railroad was constructed to eliminate traffic congestion, improve safety and enhance downtown aesthetics.

L3 Development Completes Purchase of Fitzgeralds Casino/Hotel

An affiliate of L3 Development LLC has completed the purchase of Fitzgeralds Hotel and Casino in downtown Reno. Joining L3 Development in the transaction is RAC II LLC, which recently assumed the gaming and hotel operations of the 351-room Fitzgeralds.

L3 Development is converting the former Golden Phoenix Hotel and Casino neighboring Fitzgeralds into The Montage Residences, a 380-unit luxury condominium and commercial development.

The new ownership team plans about $3 million worth of immediate improvements to the property, including the installation of new elevators, upgrading plumbing systems and refurbishing the 850-space parking garage.  

To submit New Mexico, Arizona or Nevada news items or press releases, email Scott Blair, editor, at scott_blair@mcgraw-hill.com.