Tucson, Ariz., secured federal funding for an ambitious project to build an electrically powered streetcar with the approval of a $63-million grant through the Federal Transit Administration. Photo courtesy City of Tucson Tucson�s modern streetcar project got a boost with the approval of a $63-million federal grant. Officials with the city�s transportation department finalized the paperwork for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds on Dec. 28. The move protects the project�s funding from congressional stimulus cuts, they say. The city now must find a way to close the $26-million funding gap for the project. Tucson also is awaiting

Tutor Perini Corp., Sylmar, Calif., has purchased Fisk Electric Co. for $105 million in cash and an undetermined amount based on future results. Privately held Fisk reported 2010 revenue of about $305 million and a $190-million project backlog, although both dropped this year. The firm has worked with Tutor Perini on several projects, including the $8.5-billion CityCenter in Las Vegas. Based in Houston, Fisk will operate as a wholly owned Tutor Perini unit, with existing senior managers remaining in place. Publicly owned Tutor Perini had $2.51 billion in revenue for the first nine months of 2010, down 38.3% from $4.07

A new $4-billion megaresort will test Las Vegas� recession-racked tourist-based economy, but, perhaps more significantly, it concludes years of work for 3,220 tradesmen and construction staff responsible for the 2,995-room, 6.96-million-sq-ft Cosmopolitan Casino Resort at 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Perini Building Co., a unit of Tutor Perini Corp., Sylmar, Calif., is the general contractor. Just 48 months ago, Nevada construction employed 150,000 people � a figure that since plummeted by 70%, reports Las Vegas-based business advisory firm Applied Analysis. Photo Courtesy Bill Hughes A new $4-billion megaresort will test Las Vegas� recession-racked tourist-based economy, but, perhaps more significantly, it

Join Southwest Contractor and McGraw-Hill Construction on Dec. 7 in Phoenix, Dec. 8 in Las Vegas and Dec. 14 in Albuquerque to celebrate the building teams that created the best projects of 2010. The Best of 2010 award-winning projects are selected by a jury of prominent, local industry professionals. Criteria includes architectural and engineering design; execution of construction; innovation; contribution to the local community and construction industry; ability to overcome challenges; and overall excellence. photo courtesy URS Indian Bend Wash Improvements, Scottsdale Matthew O�Brien, author and journalist Photo � Fred Holden US Courthouse, Las Cruces. Phoenix | December 7, 2010

Whether the still unopened Harmon Hotel inside the CityCenter resort in Las Vegas is demolished or remains an expensive billboard is now part of yet one more legal battle stemming from the struggling megaresort�s many financial woes. Photo: Bill Hughes Rumors say unopened hotel could be imploded. On Nov. 13, according to news reports, owner MGM Resorts International announced plans to raze the 27-story high-rise designed by U.K. �starchitect� Sir Norman Foster. MGM later backpedaled from that statement and claims no final decision has been made, says a spokesman. The company took a $279-million write-down in the third quarter on

The still unopened Harmon Hotel, a 27-story centerpiece of the now financially hemorrhaging CityCenter development in Las Vegas, is being targeted for demolition. MGM Resorts International, owner of the troubled 67-acre complex that includes the hotel designed by U.K. �starchitect� Sir Norman Foster, recently unveiled plans to raze it. MGM took a $279-million write-down in the third quarter on the building, which sits dormant with a sign wrapped around its gleaming glass fa�ade for the resort�s �Viva Elvis� show. Harmon may be the world�s most expensive billboard. Photo: Tony Illia The Las Vegas hotel-condo was designed by famed U.K. architect

The results of Tuesday�s election are in, and voter approval of school and construction bonds throughout the region was hit or miss, with some major defeats handed out. The southwest�s largest bond issue, New Mexico�s $155.2-million request for funding dozens of higher education and special school projects throughout the state, failed by a narrow margin of less than 2,500 votes. Smaller state-wide bonds, providing $7.7 million for senior citizen facilities and $7 million for various libraries, were successful. Voters in New Mexico�s most populous county, Bernalillo, passed all of its bond measures, including $25 million for parks, roadways and storm/wastewater

Falsework is coming down this month after supporting the construction of what officials believe is the only transit bridge in the world to cross over an active taxiway. Photo: Courtesy of Austin Bridge & Road Officials think mass transit guideway at Phoenix airport may be the only one of its kind to cross through active airspace. Falsework is coming down this month after supporting the construction of what officials believe is the only transit bridge in the world to cross over an active taxiway. The 740-ft-long cast-in-place box-girder bridge is the centerpiece of a two-mile-long transit system that will connect

New Mexico voters will have final say in the Southwest�s largest bond issue: a $155.2-million request for funding dozens of higher education and special school projects throughout the state, including $5.65 million for expanded classrooms at Dona Ana Community College and $10 million for a children�s hospital outpatient building in Albuquerque. Similar education bond issues have been approved by voters time and again in the state in recent years. Additional general obligation bonds up for statewide vote would provide $7.7 million for senior citizen facilities and $7 million for various libraries. Bond elections in the state�s most populous county, Bernalillo,