KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -

Unless they are torn down, stadiums are one of the few things in life that don't change. Your dad took you to the ball game at the "K" (or Kauffman Stadium) and you'll take your son. Everyone ages and changes, but stadiums are one of the few constants, and many of them, the best ones, come from the minds of people in the fair city of Kansas City.

It's one of the most influential and important sports businesses in the world and it's right in the middle of the old brick buildings and lofts in Kansas City's River Market area, but athletes with seven-figure salaries don't work here and neither do their agents.

"This is where it happens. It's an amazing legacy," said Greg Sherlock.

"When I got this opportunity, I was like, ‘Yeah. This is what I want to do," said Mike Sabatini.

Architects Sabatini and Sherlock work for Populous, formerly HOK Sport Venue Event, and design some of the best stadiums in the world.

"I know everybody just drives by, you can see it along the road, and is pumped about it," said Sabatini.

Sabatini designed jetBlue Park in Fort Meyers, FL. It's the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox and it opened just last week.

"It's Fenway on the inside, on the exterior it's all about Florida and for them, is was more about ‘we want to build Fenway south," he said.

With one minor change: fans can actually sit in the green monster in the shade at jetBlue Park.

"It's a very contemporary-looking building and it really fits the culture of Miami," said Sabatini.

It started with a tiny sketch, morphed into a wooden model and, on April 4, Marlins Park, the new home of the Miami Marlins, will open. It's a $350 million retractable-roof stadium that is hurricane proof.

"You can only imagine when you're putting a retracting roof that spans 600 feet on two rails, 10 stories up in the air, how complex of a problem that gets to be from an engineering perspective," said Sherlock. "This outfield wall, it's got this retracting - it's a transparent that retracts. It creates a picture frame of the city itself: the skyline of Miami is right there in the distance."

Populous has built Olympic stadiums in China, soccer stadiums in Guadalajara and baseball stadiums in the Beltway. Most of the greatest stadiums on Earth have come from the business located in the River Market.

"I like to tell the story where it really started when the leaders-to-be envisioned the two purpose-built facilities, Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadium. Back in the late 60s was a pretty monumental time in professional sports history and America," said Sherlock.

Populous did the Kauffman Stadium renovation and, this summer, its handy work in its own backyard will be front and center when the All-Star game is in town.

"They'll (Major League Baseball) come to town and put on their show and they're showcasing one of your jobs," said Sabatini. "Now you're on the grandest stage of all - the world."

"I'm still waiting for that ticket," said Sherlock.

Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.

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Architects at Populous design some of the best stadiums in the world

Amid complaints that architects and engineers on public school projects are not fairly paid for their work , a Jefferson Parish School Board committee is looking into revising the contract they sign when they accept a job.

Much of the issue centers on unreasonably low bids by some construction contractors, who later increase the budgeted amount through change orders. Architects and engineers typically take in 7 percent to 10 percent of the original construction budget, but on Tuesday they said their fees should be based on the actual cost of construction, including change orders.

"Oftentimes we are the victim of a contractor who bids a project too low," architect Russell Burgdahl of Burgdahl & Graves told the School Board's facilities committee. "All it does is increase our work level because he is constantly coming up with ways to add money to the job."

Governments are allowed to choose any qualified architect or engineer, regardless of price, and critics say this leads to politicians picking their campaign contributors for the professional work.

But state law requires public entities to accept the lowest qualified bid on construction work. While none of those appearing before the committee Tuesday suggested doing otherwise, Steven Graves of Burgdahl & Graves said, "Sometimes, it's our worst nightmare."

Graves suggested that professional service fees be based on an average of all the bids received. "That would make sense," he said. "Then you find the true value of the project."

Neither the professionals at Tuesday's meeting nor committee members gave examples of the change-order problem.

But a Feb. 1 capital project status report on Jefferson schools lists several projects with multiple change orders. Examples are six change orders on a roofing project at Harry S Truman Middle School in Marrero, five on two projects at Ella Dolhonde Elementary in Metairie and 11 for an athletic complex and other work at East Jefferson High in Metairie. In all three cases, contractors exceeded the budgeted amount by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Architects and engineers said change orders are often necessary, especially when they involve renovations to some of the school system's oldest campuses.

"When we are assigned a project, it may be a 50-year old building," said Rick Meyer of Meyer Engineers. "And we may find an unforeseen item that needs to be repaired. There will be change orders. We just hope they are reasonable."

Board member Etta Licciardi, who chairs the facilities committee, described the meeting as "productive and enlightening.

"I understand your concerns," she said. "And it is certainly my hope that the document we end up with will meet your needs and the needs of the school system."

Afterward, she and board member Larry Dale said revisions to the professionals' contract are long overdue.

Besides changing the fee structure, the committee is studying such issues as project schedules, professional liability insurance, liquidated damages and errors and omissions.

Licciardi said the committee plans to consult the American Institute of Architects and the Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control's contract to come up with the fairest agreement.

. . . . . . .

Barri Bronston can be reached at bbronston@timespicayune.com or 504.883.7058.

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Jefferson Parish schools committee hears complaints from architects, engineers

CHAMPAIGN — Christopher's Fine Jewelry Design in downtown Champaign has closed for remodeling and expects to reopen later this week in a smaller space.

Co-owner Lois Wacholtz said the store plans to keep its frontage at 124 N. Neil St., C, but lease out the back portion.

As for what customers can expect to see once remodeling is done, Wacholtz said: "The windows will stay the same. There will be more wall (display) cases and fewer floor cases, and a fair amount of new inventory when we're up and running."

When complete, the retail space will be about 900 square feet, compared with the 2,000 square feet the store had before, she said.

Wacholtz said she and co-owner Christopher Jupp had been thinking about shrinking the space for a couple years.

"There's no real need to have as much inventory on hand as there used to be," Wacholtz said. "Our focus more and more the last several years has been custom design and custom orders."

Customers love to look at jewelry, she said, "but more and more, they're taking ideas away and having them custom-produced. It just became obvious we didn't need as much display space on hand for inventory."

Wacholtz said she hopes to rent out the back of the building, perhaps for a restaurant.

"We plan to put a doorway in on the Taylor Street side, so it's accessible from that side," she said.

That entrance would be just east of the stairwell that leads down to Christopher's production studio, she added.

Wacholtz said she expects the store to reopen Friday or Saturday, but if customers need Christopher's services before then, they can call.

"We won't be completely finished, but we'll be open by the end of the week again and have out as much as we can," she said.

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Remodeling will make jewelry store smaller

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Intersolar North America, the premier solar industry exhibition and conference in North America for solar professionals to exchange information and develop business opportunities in the U.S. solar market, is featuring next-generation solar products and cutting edge technologies from exhibitors from across the globe. The solar industry's most prestigious innovation prize, the Intersolar AWARD, will now feature a new category that will recognize landmark solar projects within North America.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100602/ISLOGO)

Applications for the 2012 Intersolar AWARD are open now until March 30, and exhibitors of Intersolar North America 2012, Intersolar Europe 2012, Intersolar China 2011 and Intersolar India 2011 are invited to apply. Winners will be chosen based on their project's innovative strength and outstanding services and products. The 5th anniversary of the Intersolar AWARD will see the jury award up to three winners from categories of "Photovoltaics," "Solar Thermal Technologies" and "PV Production Technologies." With the addition of the new category, "Solar Projects in North America," exhibitors will have the opportunity to submit their groundbreaking and unique projects for consideration and will have the potential to play an exemplary role in developing and increasing the significance of solar energy, providing a model for the future. The category will be rolled out to different markets as well, including solar projects in China and India.

Categories eligible for submission include "Solar Building," "Industrial and Commercial Use," as well as "Utility Scale Projects." The Intersolar AWARD in this category will be presented as part of Intersolar North America in San Francisco on July 10, 2012.

A total of 301 innovations from 25 countries have entered for the Intersolar AWARD since it was established. Each year sees an increase in the quality of the applications – this industry award shines a light on the winners and their products for the entire global solar industry to admire. With the new category specifically aimed at North American innovation, this year will reflect the talent and innovation coming out of the North American market.

Shining a Light on North American Solar

An expert jury, made up of specialists from science, industry, research and trade media, selects the winners from each category. Below is a breakdown of categories and sub-categories for nominations:

Photovoltaics Products, Services or Solutions Solar Thermal Technologies Products, Services or Solutions PV Production Technologies Products, Services or Solutions Solar Projects in North America Solar Building: Building integration (zero-energy and energy-plus concepts) of photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies to generate electricity, heat and cooling for buildings. The primary consideration will be how concepts are implemented from aesthetic and architectural points of view. Industrial and Commercial Use: The use of solar energy for industrial production and supplying commercial buildings. Utility Scale Projects: PV power plants (commercial installations and large-scale power plants) and solar thermal power plants.

The Intersolar AWARD for "Photovoltaics," "Solar Thermal Technologies" and the category "PV Production Technologies" will be presented during an official ceremony on June 13, 2012 at 4:30pm at Intersolar Europe in Munich. The winner of the "Solar Projects in North America" category will be announced on July 10, 2012 at Intersolar North America in San Francisco at Moscone Center.

Companies wanting to be considered for the Intersolar AWARD can register on the Intersolar North America website under "Exhibitor Service", "Marketing + Promotion", then menu item "Intersolar AWARD". All applications must be submitted by March 30, 2012.

Visit the Intersolar website at http://www.intersolar.us/
Join the Intersolar North America conversation, follow live updates from the show floor with http://www.facebook.com/Intersolar and #Intersolar

About Intersolar
With over 3,500 exhibitors and 120,000 visitors spanning three continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition series for the solar industry.

Intersolar North America takes place annually in San Francisco's Moscone Center. Since its establishment in 2008, the exhibition and conference have developed into the premier platform for the solar industry in North America. Intersolar North America focuses on photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies and is co-located with SEMICON West. It has quickly established itself among manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and service providers as an international industry meeting point.

In total, 834 exhibitors and 19,168 trade visitors participated in 2011. The conference featured 30 sessions with 220 speakers and catered to 1,617 conference attendees.

Intersolar's storied history of international exhibitions and conferences spans more than 20 years. Taking place in addition to Intersolar North America are Intersolar India in Mumbai, and Intersolar China in Beijing, which was launched in 2011. The world's largest exhibition for the solar industry is Intersolar Europe in Munich.

For more information on Intersolar North America please visit:  http://www.intersolar.us/

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Prestigious Intersolar AWARD to Honor Solar Projects in North America

COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Oltmans Construction Co., a leading U.S. industrial and commercial general contractor, announced today the final construction of an auditorium for The Crossing Church.

"We are honored to have been selected to build this significant addition to The Crossing Campus," said Dan Wozniak, senior project manager, Oltmans Construction Co. "At 22,000 square feet on three levels, this multi-flex facility combines stunning architecture, a variety of building materials and innovative use of technology."

The auditorium features contemporary architectural design throughout the interior and exterior by creatively integrating basic building materials to acoustically control the environment.  It creates a beautifully blended atmosphere with a continuous flow into the open plaza courtyard spaces where a stunning arrival courtyard fountain welcomes people into the building.

"Oltmans, its subcontractors and consultants did a phenomenal job to make this project happen," said Tim Celek, lead pastor. "Without a doubt, the quality and craftsmanship executed is of the highest order. Any organization looking at a construction project would be well served by including Oltmans on its team.  They will not disappoint."

The auditorium, with seating for up to 1,500 people, is further enhanced by the state-of-the-art interior and exterior audio-visual systems.  The technology encourages individual attendees to actively participate and interact together in real time.

"Use of acoustically absorptive materials in the roof, wall, ceiling and balcony areas brings the entire Crossing plaza complex alive by producing exceptional high-tech quality sounds that can be distinctly heard both inside and out," Wozniak said.

About Oltmans Construction Company

Oltmans is a leading U.S. general contractor providing quality services and sustainable solutions for its customers. Marking its 80th year in business, Oltmans specializes in constructing warehouse distribution centers, office buildings, worship centers, interior tenant improvements, retrofitting existing buildings and renewable energy projects. The company is based in Whittier, California. For additional information about Oltmans Construction Co., please visit our website at http://www.oltmans.com.

Follow Oltmans on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Oltmans.

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Oltmans Construction Co. Completes Construction of The Crossing Campus

Waste Management Inc.’s (NYSE:WM - News) subsidiary Waste Management of West Seneca has acquired Reliable Environmental Transport (“RET”), one of the most respected full-service hazardous/non-hazardous waste transportation firms in the Tri-State area. The acquisition will provide Waste Management a leading edge in servicing customer needs.

Bridgeport, West Virginia based Reliable Environmental Transport caters to key industries such as Gas & Oil, Utility Companies, Pulp and Paper, Waste Treatment Plans, Steel Manufacturing, Railroad Companies, Convenience Stores and Environmental Engineering & Architectural Firms. It services and holds waste transportation permits in various states of the North East. These states include, but are not limited to West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and Virginia.

The president of RET, Jonathan Marks, will now be director of gas and hazardous waste services for West Management’s Upstate New York, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia market.  

Waste Management offers single-source environmental management services to oil and natural gas producers that include transportation, storage, recycling, treatment and disposal processes. The acquisition is a strategic fit for the company.

Waste Management’s adjusted EPS in fiscal 2011 was $2.14 compared with $2.09 in the previous year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11 and at the low end of the company’s guided range of $2.14–$2.18.  Revenues increased 7% to $13.4 billion, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $13.3 billion.

Waste Management expects 2012 adjusted EPS to lie between $2.22 and $2.30. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $2.27. Internal revenue growth from yield on the collection and disposal business is expected to be in the range of 1.0% to 1.5%. Yield in the second half is expected to improve from the first half. Internal revenue growth from volume is expected to be flat to slightly positive.

Waste Management’s ability to cut costs will help in maintaining profits despite weak volumes. Lower trending recycling prices, lower volumes, commodity headwinds and continued margin deterioration nonetheless remain causes of concern. Backed by its strong cash flow, the company has increased its dividend for eight consecutive years.

The acquisition of Oakleaf Global Holdings in 2011 will provide North American customers with unprecedented access to waste and recycling solutions by pairing the largest network of directly owned hauling, recycling, diversion and disposal assets with the largest managed third-party network.

Waste Management is the largest provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. The company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, as well as disposal services to nearly 20 million residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers. It competes with Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - News) and Casella Waste Systems Inc. (NasdaqGS:CWST - News). Waste Management currently maintains a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) on its stock for the short term.

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WM Adds Waste Transport Firm

Key cabinet ministers are in the firing line after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for "payback" after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to be spared.

The PM will now also be forced to find a replacement for another NSW ministerial vacancy created by the shock resignation of Mark Arbib.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

This morning the PM still wouldn’t speculate on her ministry or rule out payback.

"I will judge my team the way I’ve said that I’m going to judge it: on merit and the capacity to take the fight up to the other side of politics," Ms Gillard told ABC Radio’s AM program.

"That’s what will drive my decision."

Ms Gillard said she would announce the ministry reshuffle in her own time.

Stephen Smith or Simon Crean are considered the likely candidates to replace Mr Rudd as foreign minister.

However, Mr Bowen was also named as a potential promotion into the job, not only on merit but as a gesture of unity.

"The next big challenge for us is how we challenge this reshuffle," a senior source close to the PM's office said.

"You would have to think Robert has to go. She wanted to do it last time but wasn't allowed.

"The problem is, can you have any confidence in the PM's office to manage considering the disaster of the last reshuffle."

Mr Rudd yesterday prevailed on caucus not to punish his supporters.

"My final request of the leader is no retribution against my supporters," he said. "They are good Labor people, every one of them."

Trade Minister Craig Emerson will act in Mr Rudd's role until a decision about the reshuffle - and could himself be in line to take the job permanently.

A spokesman for Mr Smith, who was foreign minister under Mr Rudd said: 'This is entirely a matter for the prime minister."

Ms Gillard will continue with a divided inner sanctum with some of Mr Rudd's backers, such as Martin Ferguson, set to stay on.

Leader of the house Anthony Albanese's office confirmed he would remain in the chief parliamentary head-kicking role after Ms Gillard had refused to accept his resignation.

"I would hope Julia Gillard would want to see me continue in the cabinet," Mr Bowen said.

"But that would entirely be a matter for the prime minister of the day and I will serve in any cabinet capacity for either of them."

Mr Ferguson is considered a valuable asset to the government and said: "I will always serve the Labor Party."

It was unclear what will happen to Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr who was demoted in last December's botched reshuffle.

By retaining Ms Gillard as leader, the party avoided an exodus of ministers with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and School Education Minister Peter Garrett declaring they would not serve as ministers if Mr Rudd was re-elected.

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan may also have refused to serve Mr Rudd.

David Bradbury and former defence minister Joe Fitzgibbon have been named as MPs from the NSW Right who could replace Mr Arbib and Mr McClelland.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, meanwhile, said yesterday’s leadership battle had changed little, saying Australia today had the "same untrustworthy" PM and the “same dud policies” as it did yesterday, before the spill.

"This isn't a new start for the prime minister it is just a stay of execution," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott said Mr Rudd was still "nursing ambition".

"We know that Bill Shorten has an enormous opinion of himself, we know that Simon Crean and Stephen Smith were auditioning last week, and they will be waiting for this prime minister's first stumble," he said.

"I think the Australian people are desperate for better government. I think they know that we are better than this. I think they know that we are a great country which has been badly let down by a poor government getting worse."
 

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PM's payback for Rudd's mates

Feb. 27--Aberdeen Regional Airport' s observation room, a remnant of the days when the airport had a food counter, will disappear as part of a remodeling planned for the airport terminal.

Two areas will be expanded to fill that space. One is the secure holding room -- the area where people wait after making it through security. The other is the baggage claim area.

Airport manager Mike Wilson is excited about the project, which will happen late this summer or early next year.

Currently, the baggage claim area can be very crowded when 50 people arrive on a plane and they're welcomed by about 50 others, Wilson said. Under the planned remodeling, the size of the conveyor belt and the area around it will be greatly increased.

Expansion of the secure holding area is also needed, Wilson said. Right now, the room seats 39 people. The room is extremely cramped when 50 people are waiting to board an aircraft, he said. After the expansion, it will have seating for about 70, so it will still be comfortable if the size of aircraft serving Aberdeen increases in the future.

The cost of the work will be about $400,000, Wilson said. Federal money will pay for about 90 percent. The state will pay for 3 to 5 percent, leaving 5 to 7 percent for the city.

Wilson thinks the renovated terminal will be more convenient and more comfortable. As part of the changes, the curtains at both ends of the current observation room will be removed. Wilson also hopes to paint the entire terminal.

"I think it's going to look much nicer," he said.

Airport space will also be better utilized, he said. The observation room is not used very much and is "not really needed," Wilson said.

In the room now are seven tables, 21 chairs and three vending machines that sell sandwiches, snacks and pop.

The counter area is left over from unsuccessful attempts to run a deli-type operation in the space. All of the restaurant items, except for an ice machine, will be sold, Wilson said.

In doing the construction, the airport will avoid its two busiest seasons -- pheasant hunting and Christmas. If the work can't be done in August and September, it will probably have to wait until January or February.

If the bids for this project come in favorably, Wilson hopes to also expand the terminal building slightly. He'd like to enlarge the area where airline workers deliver baggage to the conveyor. Right now, the area is so tight that those small vehicles are constantly bumping into their surroundings, Wilson said.

Copyright 2012 - American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

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Expansion at Aberdeen airport to begin this summer

TIPTON, Iowa — Revisions to the original plans for Tipton High School’s auditorium remodeling and wrestling room projects have addressed to overcome objections by school board members and others.

At a work session, school board members learned that if new auditorium seats are 21 inches wide instead of 24 inches, there is room for 608 seats in the auditorium. With 24-inch seats, there would have been a loss of seating from the current 850 to 450.

To retain 608 seats, Al Varney, architect with Ament Design, said the space between rows in the balcony will remain the same but will be increased on the main floor.

To keep the use of one classroom, which was originally to become a stage makeup room, Varney said two 500-square-foot rooms could be constructed by extending the planned addition over the boiler room. He said one could be used for the makeup area and the other for stage equipment storage.  

Another goal of the revisions was to cut the $626,750 cost projected for the wrestling room. Varney explained that can be done by changing from brick and block construction to pre-cast concrete, which would cost $357,520.  Wrestling coach Matt Nerem asked for storage space for exercise bikes and other equipment. He noted that a wooden floor is safer for wrestling than concrete. Recycled rubber flooring as installed in the new weight room was suggested as being less costly than using a double thickness of mats.

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Tipton looks at auditorium project revisions

Posted: Feb. 28, 2012 | 2:02 a.m.
Updated: Feb. 28, 2012 | 8:16 a.m.

So there's no confusion, the temporary hotel room in the lobby of the MGM Grand is not available.

Besides, there isn't a bathroom.

But the mock-up serves a purpose, said MGM Grand President Scott Sibella.

It tells guests the 5,044-room Strip resort's propertywide remodeling is under way after being delayed for almost eight years.

So does the 14-foot replica paint can at the property's main pedestrian entrance off the Strip.

The $160 million room renovation is the most visible and anticipated aspect of the property's remodeling, which will include all 3,570 rooms and 642 suites in the MGM Grand's main tower. Some 1,600 rooms have already received contemporary furnishings and color schemes. The project is expected to be completed by September.

Sibella said convention organizers and frequent guests had long been told the rooms would be redone. Plans for the room remodel were drawn up more than eight years ago, but were put on hold when the economy tanked.

"Having the model room in the lobby is a clear sign to show guests the renovation project is happening," Sibella said.

Revenues from the hotel rooms have become just as important to the bottom line of MGM Grand parent MGM Resorts International as the figures produced by the casino.

In the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, MGM Resorts officials said revenue per available room -- a nontraditional lodging industry profitability measurement -- for the company's 10 Strip hotel-casinos rose 13 percent.

The average daily room rate was up 10 percent from a year ago. Fresher rooms with new amenities means the company can charge a higher average daily rate.

MGM Resorts Chairman Jim Murren said last week that the company's revenue per occupied room is also increasing. The numbers, Murren said, show visitors are willing to spend more in both gaming and nongaming areas. He said the company is optimistic that visitation to Las Vegas will continue to grow throughout 2012.

"Our forward bookings are up and they are continuing to go up," Murren said.

The MGM Grand's remodeling is being rolled out in pieces.

Last month, the live lion habitat in the casino was closed. It was also announced that Studio 54, the nightclub that had been part of the hotel-casino for 14 years, will be replaced by Hakkasan, an upscale Mandarin Chinese restaurant and nightclub to open by New Year's Eve.

Sibella said the hotel, which turns 20 in 2013, has long needed a makeover.

The Strip may not see another new resort enter the market this decade, but MGM Grand must upgrade to match similar actions at competing resorts.

Sibella said the remodeling allows the property to recapture its magic in time for 20-year celebration.

"This property sees an average of 40,000 to 50,000 people a day," Sibella said. "That's not just our hotel guests. Everyone knows the emerald green building. It's the first building you see on the Strip when you arrive in Las Vegas by airline."

Sibella, who has been president of the MGM Grand for 14 months, said plans for the renovation are to add amenities that focus on entertainment.

New attractions include a 288-seat comedy club operated by comedian Brad Garrett, which is expected to open in March in the hotel's small retail area that connects the parking structure and main lobby. Meanwhile, new restaurants are opening, including the Sugar Factory and a Blizz Frozen Yogurt.

Plans are underway to remodel the MGM Grand's 170,000 square-foot casino, including adding an attraction or entertainment element to replace the closed lion habitat.

In the hotel lobby, MGM Grand created an interactive video wall behind the front desk. The center screen streams a live Twitter feed for guests on or off the property to post feedback or comments using the handle @mgmvideowall.

Sibella took over the MGM Grand after serving as president of The Mirage for five years, where he oversaw the Strip resort's $100 million renovation in time for that property's 20th anniversary.

"Maybe I'm getting a reputation as a guy who spends money," Sibella joked.

A couple of months after transferring to the MGM Grand, Sibella participated in the CBS reality television series "Undercover Boss," where he performed several jobs at the MGM Grand wearing a disguise.

Taking part in the television show helped him learn about the hotel-casino, which employs roughly 9,000 workers. Some 20 percent of those workers, he said, have been at the MGM Grand since Day One.

"We're excited about the changes," Sibella said. "The room remodel is just the start."

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.

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Glad To Say, 'Pardon Our Dust'