Building Nevada Briefs - November 2002

Building Nevada Briefs

Las Vegas Homes Satisfy Buyers

Las Vegas ranked among the top U.S. cities for the third consecutive year in the latest J.D. Power and Associates "New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study," released in September. Once again, Las Vegas achieved an overall customer satisfaction index score of 106, following only Charlotte, N.C., and Phoenix, which tied for first place with scores of 111. J.D. Power and Associates indicated Las Vegas new-home purchasers generally experience fewer problems with their homes than buyers in most other markets, which helps boost customer satisfaction. The global marketing information firm surveyed individuals who purchased homes from Las Vegas’ 27 largest builders. Las Vegas-area builders must have closed 150 or more homes in 2001 to be included in the study.

The study, now in its sixth year, was conducted in 16 of the largest home-building markets in the United States and includes responses from more than 56,000 buyers of newly-built single-family homes. Homeowners provided feedback after living in their homes from four to 18 months, on average. The study’s index scores are made up of nine factors that drive overall customer satisfaction with a builder. The top factors are: customer service, home readiness (the timely completion of the home), the sales staff, and the quality of workmanship and materials.

Two Hospitals Plan Expansions

Clark & Sullivan is managing the construction of a 12-month renovation of the emergency services department at Washoe Medical Center in Reno. The project includes an 800-square-foot expansion to the existing waiting room, 15 additional exam rooms and a complete renovation of all existing areas of the emergency services department, including nurses’ station, triage area and patient registration area. Construction on the project began in July 2002 and is scheduled for completion in July 2003. Clark & Sullivan has divided the job into strategic phases to avoid compromising the existing emergency services department, personnel and patients during construction. In Las Vegas, Sunrise Children’s Hospital has announced plans to add 130,000 square feet of space in a 3.5-year project to commence in spring 2003. The expansion will add more than 60 pediatric beds to the 144-bed hospital, including private rooms and amenities to make it easier for parents to stay with their children. The project will expand the existing Women’s Pavilion from three floors to five floors and add a new three-story tower bordering Maryland Parkway. KGA Architects designed the project, which will be built by Kitchell Construction.

PENTA Concluding Casino Monte Lago Project

The PENTA Building Group is completing its work at the Casino Monte Lago at Lake Las Vegas, a project scheduled to be finished in December 2002. The 50,000-square-foot building adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas resort will include a casino, restaurant and race and sports book, as well as back-of-house support facilities. Klai::Juba Architects performed architectural services for the casino and the Rise Group of Chicago is representing the owner. Mike Smith is serving as project manager for PENTA and Randy Corwin is project superintendent.

Remodel Continues at Reno’s Airport

Reno/Tahoe International Airport has completed the second phase of its remodel of the terminal, and is continuing with the third phase, scheduled for completion in March 2003. The second phase included a renovation of the food court on the lower level, as well as food and beverage concessions at both concourses. Phase three will include the installation of new carpeting throughout the terminal, which should be completed this month. The airport’s famous ski statue will become the centerpiece of the building when it is relocated to a prominent place in the central terminal. The third phase also includes a remodel of the airport’s retail shops, which are operated by Paradies under a lease agreement with the airport authority.