Building Nevada Briefs - December 2001

Building Nevada Briefs

Ground Broken for New Power Plant

Several high-ranking government officials were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony for a 1,150-megawatt, natural gas-fired power plant in Southern Nevada. From left to right are: Jim Rexroad, manager of business development for Duke Energy North America (DENA); James Donnell, president and CEO of DENA; Kathy Augustine, Nevada state controller; Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt; Gov. Kenny Guinn; Danny Thompson, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO; Jerry Reynoldson, representing Sen. Harry Reid; J.B. McKinney, DENA project director; and Brad Porlier, vice president for business development, DENA. The $600 million Duke Energy Moapa Plant, located in the Apex Industrial Area north of Las Vegas, will occupy about 40 acres of a 100-acre site. It will begin supplying energy to the wholesale market by summer 2003.

Clark & Sullivan to Remodel Courthouse

Clark & Sullivan Constructors has begun work on the remodel and structural retrofit of the Carson City Courthouse. The historic building, erected in 1820, required a total gutting and renovation to ensure its continued use. Clark & Sullivan will either salvage or recreate the original materials, including the marble lobby, staircase and all wood doors and trim. Construction costs for the 15,000-square-foot project are estimated at over $2.6 million. Completion is scheduled for April 2002. Robert Oxoby is the architect for the remodel and Tim Heydon is project manager.

Contractor of the Year Awards Announced

The Nevada Contractors Association held its annual "Contractor of the Year" awards luncheon on December 4 to recognize excellence and leadership in construction, based on safety record, professionalism, project challenges and industry contribution. This year’s winners are: Contractor of the Year – Wells Cargo, Inc.; Subcontractor of the Year – KHS&S Contractors; Building Project of the Year – MountainView Hospital Expansion by Kitchell Contractors; Heavy/Highway/Civil Project of the Year – Pabco Road Erosion Control by Las Vegas Paving Corp.; Safest Contractor of the Year – Perini Building Co.; Associate of the Year – Wells Capital Management.

West Wendover Casino Properties Expand

Reno-based Peppermill Casinos, Inc. has announced plans to spend $27 million to expand its two properties in West Wendover on the Nevada-Utah border. The Rainbow will enlarge its casino by 11,000 square feet, add a full-service race book and a steak house restaurant during the first phase of its expansion, scheduled for completion in May 2002. It will also add a 9,000-square-foot convention center with high-tech audiovisual features. Phase Two of the project, including the addition of 104 rooms and suites, should be finished by December 2002. The Peppermill in West Wendover will add a new hotel wing with 112 guest rooms and suites and will expand its convention area and restaurant.

Rinker Materials Purchases Hanson PC Operations

Rinker Materials Corporation, formerly known as CSR, has purchased several concrete and quarry operations from Hanson PC, making it the largest concrete, aggregate and building materials company in Southern Nevada. It now operates three quarries, 12 ready-mix facilities, a block manufacturing plant, a brickyard, a masonry building materials outlet and a fleet of 340 concrete and aggregate transport trucks. Through the acquisition of the Hanson operations, Rinker sustains a 42 percent share of the ready-mix market and an 18 percent share of the aggregate products market. In a name change effective August 1, all 251 locations of CSR in 31 states changed their name to Rinker Materials Corporation to create a consistent brand identity across the country.

Craig Distribution Center Breaks Ground

Ground was broken in November for the Craig Distribution Center, a 26-acre big-box project at Craig and Flossmoor Street in northern Las Vegas. Henderson-based CENTRA Properties is developing the property jointly with Panattoni Development Inc. of Sacramento. The site will include three distribution buildings totaling 545,000 square feet. The largest building, at almost 280,000 square feet, is slated for occupancy in the second quarter of 2002. Lee & Sakahara will serve as the project’s architect and Panattoni Construction will be general contractor. Dan Doherty, senior vice president of Colliers International, has the exclusive listing for the buildings, which will be offered for either sale or lease.