CityCenter construction defects case on 30-day hold

The massive litigation over the construction of CityCenter went into a 30-day holding pattern on Wednesday.

Although taking deposition testimony of nonexpert witnesses can continue, notably a two-day session with MGM Resorts International CEO James Murren starting Nov. 14, other activity must stop, Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez ruled.

That will give CityCenter, managed and half-owned by MGM, time to decide whether to conduct more structural tests on the empty Harmon hotel. Previously, it had decided to go ahead but with the option of appealing certain conditions it did not like, such as paying possibly millions of dollars of court expenses run up by opposing contractors. Gonzalez, in her final order, did not allow that.

The delay, and the possibility that it will run longer because of an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, has jeopardized the scheduled June 24 start of a jury trial on at least part of the dispute. Several contractors, led by Perini Building Co., have claimed $191 million in unpaid bills, with Perini accounting for more than $125 million. CityCenter has estimated its damages at more than $300 million, most of it tied to Harmon construction defects.

Contact reporter Tim O'Reiley at
toreiley@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290.