The world’s tallest observation wheel took its inaugural spin on March 31 on the Las Vegas Strip. By John Guzzon The Linq observation wheel is now open in Las Vegas. The 550-ft-tall, 28-cabin “Las Vegas High Roller” anchors Caesar Entertainment’s recently opened $550-million, 200,000-sq-ft. Linq entertainment complex. The 520-ft-dia., 1,120-passenger wheel is taller than the London Eye and 9-ft. higher than the former record holder, Singapore Flyer. American Bridge Co., Coraopolis, Penn., was the general contractor, with the San Francisco office of Arup as engineer-of-record.However, an observation wheel planned for the northeast side of Staten Island could soon wrest title
May 15, 2014 Arizona Builders’ Alliance Member MixerSundt Construction, 2620 S. 55th St., Tempe, Ariz.Construction firms from the Phoenix area will gather for networking. Contact: Erica Lange at elange@ azbuilders.org. May 29-30, 2014ASCE Seismic Hazard Evaluation and Mitigation Using Simple Methods Seminar Las VegasHelping designers extend their knowledge of earthquake engineering at the Trump International Hotel, 2000 N. Fashion Show Drive. Contact: asce.org. June 9-12, 2014National Fire Protection Association Conference and Expo Las VegasEducation and product information about codes and standards at the Mandalay Bay Conference Center, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Contact: nfpa.org. July 17-20, 2014American Society of Concrete Contractors’ Executive Forum
The results are in for ENR Southwest's design firm survey, and according to both the collected data and industry executives, a slow, steady recovery continues to unfold in the marketplace. Related Links: ENR Southwest Overall Top Design Firms 2014 ENR Southwest Top Design Firms 2014 By Market Sector "I'm seeing cautious optimism and steady momentum, although there is some concern about the slowdown in new and used home sales," says Doug Plasencia, vice president of Michael Baker Corp.'s Phoenix office. "However, we're still seeing a continuous stream of design-build opportunities coming from the federal sector."Overall, the 75 firms that participated
Equipment supplier and Caterpillar dealer Empire Southwest is known throughout the region as a supplier of heavy machinery for innovative and unique projects. Last year, the firm began work on their own unique project: a component rebuild facility in Mesa, Ariz., that uses a robust structural foundation to support heavy-duty lifting. Related Links: Heavy Duty Playground Opens in Las Vegas Nevada Tower Design Banks On Potential Expansion In mid-2013, Empire Southwest and general contractor Porter Brothers Construction of Gilbert, Ariz., broke ground on the 90,000-sq-ft facility as an addition to Empire Southwest's Mesa campus. The new building will house the
Alvin C. Dominguez has joined Wilson and Co., where he will be responsible for developing and sustaining client relationships in southern New Mexico. Dominguez is a Native American with 28 years of engineering leadership experience. He was formerly a technical support engineer for the New Mexico Dept. of Transportation and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record Lawrence Pobuda has been hired as senior vice president and general manager of Opus Development Co. in Phoenix. The firm works in such sectors as office, industrial and residential real estate. Pobuda had
Bohannan Huston is a regionally focused firm cemented in New Mexico. But the firm, which performs civil, structural, construction, mechanical and electrical engineering services, has recently extended its reach throughout the Southwest. The firm puts an emphasis on advanced technologies and the ability to perform a variety of engineering and design services, ranging from surveying and mapping to preconstruction and on through to the end of the job. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record Serving in a variety of capacities on a variety of project types, Bohannan Huston's most high-profile start in 2013 was the $450-million El Cabo wind
The first week of April, Phoenix Motor Company opened the final half of its Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale facility, 4725 N. Scottsdale Road, in the city’s burgeoning post-recession midtown. On 5.12 infill acres at Highland Avenue, the $30-million adaptive-reuse project has recycled a 1983-vintage three-story office building and adjacent parking structure, Highland Park, into a contemporary green-intensive campus employing 100 sales, service and administrative staff.The dealership comprises a majority of the original 92,500-sq-ft building, its adjacent 64,000-sq-ft two-level parking structure, and adds 20,000 sq ft of floor-to-ceiling glazed showroom space and climate-controlled interior service-drive area.The initial western half of the steel-and-concrete
The term for “Advanced Integrated Practice,” or AIP, is not yet found in books or magazines. Nor has it been taught in university level classes prior to 2013. It is a new term with a process to address current design and construction challenges within our industry. Luckily, I was part of the writing and research team that coined the AIP moniker in 2010 while working under the aegis of the Alliance for Construction Excellence, an educational outreach program and a part of the Del E. Webb School of Construction, School of Sustainable Engineering & the Built Environment, and the Ira
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1307 Tuesday night in an attempt to counter a 2012 bill and prevent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from asserting its federal oversight role over all industries in Arizona — including residential and commercial construction — but only time will tell whether it will be enough. Mark Minter, executive director of the Arizona Builders Alliance says SB 1307 is a “conditional repeal” action of SB 1441, passed in 2012, that will only go into effect if OSHA follows through on a “show cause” letter delivered to the Industrial Commission of Arizona in March.
It’s smart to hedge high-risk bets, especially in Las Vegas. The Southern Nevada Water Authority did just that by buying a builder’s risk policy prior for the $817 million third intake project at Lake Mead. Backed by a half dozen reinsurers, the policy offers up to $650 million in loss coverage on a $10 million premium. The water authority bought it from Lloyd’s of London through Marsh LLC, New York City, after a year of discussion and research.Insurance proved a prudent bet as the project has grappled with flooding delays, cost overruns and a worker fatality. The agency last month
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