Plans to demolish Riviera move ahead with contract approval

In the latest development of the Riviera Hotel and Casino demolition, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board on Tuesday approved a $475,000 contract with a Las Vegas architectural firm to develop the bid documents for the demolition and site improvements.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's governing panel awarded the contract to KGA Architecture as part of the LVCVA's plan to raze the Riviera.

The Riviera demolition is part of LVCVA's overall $2.3 billion project to update the Las Vegas Convention Center campus. The visitors authority acquired the Riviera for $182.5 million in February.

Last month, the LVCVA had also approved a $1.84 million amendment to its contract with its professional services representative, Sacramento, Calif.-based Cordell Corp. Cordell was hired in April to coordinate the overhaul of the Convention Center.

Cordell will oversee day-to-day management of the project and various contractors while answering to the LVCVA board and staff.

The $1.84 million was originally budgeted, with the board voting last month to authorize spending it.

The same is true with the $475,000 for KGA Architecture to develop the demolition bid paperwork.

A remediation study needs to be conducted on the Riviera property before demolition is scheduled. Cordell will also run the site planning and design of a new 750,000-square-foot convention hall, a general assembly facility, a World Trade Center building and a transportation system.