Join Southwest Contractor and McGraw-Hill Construction on Dec. 7 in Phoenix, Dec. 8 in Las Vegas and Dec. 14 in Albuquerque to celebrate the building teams that created the best projects of 2010. The Best of 2010 award-winning projects are selected by a jury of prominent, local industry professionals. Criteria includes architectural and engineering design; execution of construction; innovation; contribution to the local community and construction industry; ability to overcome challenges; and overall excellence. photo courtesy URS Indian Bend Wash Improvements, Scottsdale Matthew O�Brien, author and journalist Photo � Fred Holden US Courthouse, Las Cruces. Phoenix | December 7, 2010
Whether the still unopened Harmon Hotel inside the CityCenter resort in Las Vegas is demolished or remains an expensive billboard is now part of yet one more legal battle stemming from the struggling megaresort�s many financial woes. Photo: Bill Hughes Rumors say unopened hotel could be imploded. On Nov. 13, according to news reports, owner MGM Resorts International announced plans to raze the 27-story high-rise designed by U.K. �starchitect� Sir Norman Foster. MGM later backpedaled from that statement and claims no final decision has been made, says a spokesman. The company took a $279-million write-down in the third quarter on
The still unopened Harmon Hotel, a 27-story centerpiece of the now financially hemorrhaging CityCenter development in Las Vegas, is being targeted for demolition. MGM Resorts International, owner of the troubled 67-acre complex that includes the hotel designed by U.K. �starchitect� Sir Norman Foster, recently unveiled plans to raze it. MGM took a $279-million write-down in the third quarter on the building, which sits dormant with a sign wrapped around its gleaming glass fa�ade for the resort�s �Viva Elvis� show. Harmon may be the world�s most expensive billboard. Photo: Tony Illia The Las Vegas hotel-condo was designed by famed U.K. architect
The results of Tuesday�s election are in, and voter approval of school and construction bonds throughout the region was hit or miss, with some major defeats handed out. The southwest�s largest bond issue, New Mexico�s $155.2-million request for funding dozens of higher education and special school projects throughout the state, failed by a narrow margin of less than 2,500 votes. Smaller state-wide bonds, providing $7.7 million for senior citizen facilities and $7 million for various libraries, were successful. Voters in New Mexico�s most populous county, Bernalillo, passed all of its bond measures, including $25 million for parks, roadways and storm/wastewater
Falsework is coming down this month after supporting the construction of what officials believe is the only transit bridge in the world to cross over an active taxiway. Photo: Courtesy of Austin Bridge & Road Officials think mass transit guideway at Phoenix airport may be the only one of its kind to cross through active airspace. Falsework is coming down this month after supporting the construction of what officials believe is the only transit bridge in the world to cross over an active taxiway. The 740-ft-long cast-in-place box-girder bridge is the centerpiece of a two-mile-long transit system that will connect
New Mexico voters will have final say in the Southwest�s largest bond issue: a $155.2-million request for funding dozens of higher education and special school projects throughout the state, including $5.65 million for expanded classrooms at Dona Ana Community College and $10 million for a children�s hospital outpatient building in Albuquerque. Similar education bond issues have been approved by voters time and again in the state in recent years. Additional general obligation bonds up for statewide vote would provide $7.7 million for senior citizen facilities and $7 million for various libraries. Bond elections in the state�s most populous county, Bernalillo,
The $240-million Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge opened to vehicle and foot traffic on Oct. 20th between Arizona and Nevada, 890 ft above the Colorado River. Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood officially christened the “Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge,” which is named after former Nevada Gov. Mike O’Callaghan (1971-79) and professional football star turned soldier Pat Tillman. The sleek, elegant structure stretches across the Black Canyon a quarter-mile downstream from the dam. The 1,960-ft bridge will be North America’s longest single-span concrete arch when it opens to traffic later this month. “This magnificent bridge is proof positive that America
Las Vegas Strip resorts vie to be the hottest place in town, but Vdara, a recently opened hotel, literally can scorch those visiting the pool deck during certain times of the day. The 57-story, 1,495-room hotel is one of six towers at the $8.5-billion, 67-acre CityCenter complex, which opened last December. Photos Courtesy of CityCenter Land LIC Scorcher Hotel owner says it is trying again to fix the alleged �death ray� problem after a 2008 attempt. On Sept. 16, Vdara condominium owner and personal injury lawyer William G. Pintas complained to local media that the hotel�s south facade concentrated noon
Photo: Fred Holden Judges for Southwest Contractor�s annual competition honoring the best in design and construction have selected winners in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Related Links: Arizona Winners Nevada Winners New Mexico Winners Southwest Contractor�s annual awards competition, now in its 13th year, honors the best in design and construction over the past 12 months. Categories ranging from Civil/Public Works to Retail acknowledge the excellent work and the variety of disciplines in the industry today. The staff of Southwest Contractor and this year�s panel of judges would like to thank all of the firms that took time to submit
Paolo Soleri, a renowned 91-year-old architect and urban theorist, finally will see a bridge he designed open on Dec. 11. Image by Clifton Greyeyes Rendering of the bridge and the south bank�s plaza. Photo by Stepehn Krystek Bridge structure placement took place on June 26. Photo by Stepehn Krystek CAID Industries fabricated the radiused stainless-steel panels that wrap around to create the outer and inner bridge edges. The $3 million cable-stay bridge provides a pedestrian crossing over the Arizona Canal from the Waterfront District on the north to Old Town on the south, just west of Scottsdale and Camelback roads.