MGM-Mirage Reveals Model of Project City Center
Chris Saldaña, Reporter Sep 15, 2005 08:57 PM PDT http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3857417
The Las Vegas Strip is getting a new city -- literally. Eyewitness News 8 first showed you three-dimensional images of what MGM-Mirage's City Center would look like last November.
It's a model structure like no other. Project City Center is in the works to transform Las Vegas. Chairman and CEO Terry Lanni, MGM-Mirage, said, "We want to change the world and this will definitely do it. It's not just for Las Vegas, but truly for the world." This project is taking shape thanks to a number of designers and architects who are working together.
Art Gensler with Gensler Architect, is the executive firm assigned to Project City Life. "It's hard to believe that 10 to 12 architects and designers can work together. These are people with big egos and our job is to make sure it all comes together. The parking lot currently used by Bellagio employees is directly behind the Boardwalk casino, and that is where City Center will be built.
Terri Lanni compares those that are making it happen to a popular all American sport. "If you look at the quality of the architects that were announced today and our partners, it's almost like the NFL draft. We get the first 10 picks, and the next guy gets the 11 picks." Looking at the model you see a variety of buildings and architectural designs.
Lanni says their concept will also cater to those who will call City Center home. "They have to really find something with a feel of like a SoHo in New York, or a District because they're going to be people living here full time." The City Center Project is promising to create 7,000 construction jobs and 12,000 new permanent positions. Right now MGM-Mirage is working with Clark County to integrate Project City Center into the community. The expected opening is slated for late 2009. Contact Reporter Chris Saldaña
