EIght bench legacy

Now in an $8.5 billion project that might seem like a small thing. But last December, after I pointed out the absence of seating in the retail center, senior citizens and the disabled said they wouldn’t be able to visit Las Vegas’ newest shopping center if they had no place to sit and rest.

I mentioned it again after my most recent visit with an out-of-town friend in May and said there were two benches outside in the Pocket Park and a couple of coffee places where someone could sit and wait. That was progress.

Rebecca Ingram Frisch of MGM Mirage public relations says there are now six benches inside Crystals, along with the two outside. Since we’re moving into temperatures of 100 and above, the smart move by MGM Mirage was to put six benches inside. One is near the Todd English P.U.B. and there are others near Kiki de Montparnasse, Tiffany’s, Lanvin and Miu Miu.

Originally, there was a deliberate decision to omit seating and MGM Mirage officials said that decision would be adjusted to meet guest preferences.

No, they hadn’t received many complaints, Frisch said.

The reason for the benches now, Frisch explained, “As Crystals opened and we had an opportunity to see how our guests experience the spaces, where they might like to spend a bit of extra time and relax for a few moments, we were able to identify locations where a comfortable place to sit would be additive to the experience.”

Five months after Crystals opened, there are benches so someone can sit, just in time for the summer heat when people tend to get light-headed and dehydrated.

Sure it’s a stretch to claim eight benches as part of my journalist’s legacy. But I’ll do it anyway.