Design-build to be urged for Las Vegas Convention Center

The seven-member panel overseeing the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s Convention Center project will receive a recommendation to use a design-build construction method, a process generally more expensive than traditional contracts but better positioned to meet deadlines.

And deadlines will be critical for the two-phase $1.4 billion expansion and renovation plan that has been in the works for more than a year.

Contractors will need to complete construction of a 600,000-square-foot exhibit hall in time for CES 2021.

The expedience of a design-build program enables a general contractor to design different elements of a large project as earlier portions are being built. Design-build is being used on Project Neon, the giant redesign of the Spaghetti Bowl.

But the design-build option has other risks, including a potentially higher price.

The Oversight Panel for Convention Facilities in Clark County was told Thursday at the board’s third and final informational meeting before a May vote that the design-build option would be recommended.

Terry Miller, the LVCVA’s contracted builder representative, said two other construction methods can be considered in building the project: the more traditional Design-Bid-Build or the occasionally used Construction-Manager-at-Risk method.

Miller explained that Design-Bid-Build involves drafting a plan, publicizing it to solicit bids, bidding and awarding the project and construction. It’s the most common method used to build, but can take months to effect.

The Construction-Manager-at-Risk method involves contracting for an architect and a construction manager who develop a complete price for the project and is at risk for any cost overruns. Miller said there’s a big downside with that method: Legislation that enables entities to use it is about to sunset and there’s no indication the Legislature plans to extend it.

While locking in a price may be appealing, the LVCVA could find itself in a corner if that method is authorized and the legislation extending it doesn’t happen.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.