CityCenter highlights sustainable activities

MGM Mirage is highlighting the sustainability aspects of its $8.5 billion CityCenter development, scheduled to open in December.

The casino operator, which owns CityCenter in conjunction with Dubai World, the investment arm of the Persian Gulf emirate, believes the 18 million square foot project will be one of the world’s largest sustainable developments.

MGM Mirage is pursuing the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the 76-acre project.

CityCenter’s centerpiece is the 4,004-room Aria hotel-casino. The project also includes high-rise residential condominiums, nongaming hotels, and a 500,000-square-foot dining, retail and entertainment district.

“Designing CityCenter with sustainable elements and practices reinforces its permanence and creates a healthier environment for our guests and residents, as well as for the 12,000 people who ultimately will work at CityCenter,” said MGM Mirage Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Murren.

Some of the sustainable highlights at CityCenter include:

- First energy-generation on The Strip through its 8.5 megawatt natural-gas co-generation plant, providing efficient electricity on site, reducing emissions and using "waste heat" to provide all domestic hot water.

- Water conservation technology and programs that will save between 32 percent and 39 percent within the buildings and 60 percent in outdoor landscaping.

- First-ever fleet of stretch limos powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG).

- Nation's most technologically advanced hotel rooms with exclusive features allowing guests to "green their stay."

- Development of slot machine bases that serve as floor air-conditioning units, efficiently cooling guests from the ground up, rather than wasting energy on empty space by cooling from the ceiling.

- Energy-efficiency initiatives providing a savings equivalent to powering 7,700 households annually.

 - Creation of a large-scale recycling operation that enabled the recycling or reuse of more than 230,000 tons of construction waste, including 80 percent of the imploded Boardwalk Hotel.

MGM Mirage produced a four-minute video highlighting its sustainable activities at CityCenter.