MGM to Demolish CityCenter's Harmon Hotel

 CityCenter owners MGM Resorts International and Dubai World have submitted plans to demolish the unfinished Harmon Hotel structure in the Las Vegas Strip development. Clark County officials issued a directive in July to resolve the public safety concerns about the structure, and the County Building Department now must review the proposed plan. "CityCenter consulted with experts about the fastest and safest way to resolve public safety concerns created by the structural defect issues at the Harmon," said an MGM spokesperson in a statement. "Based on their expert advice, CityCenter is recommending that the structure be demolished by implosion. We have been assured by demolition experts that a properly executed implosion will not pose health or safety problems for residents, visitors and adjacent businesses." CityCenter and its contractor, the Perini Building Co., currently are embroiled in a lawsuit over the Harmon's construction; if the proposed demolition plan is approved, CityCenter officials will seek relief from the court stipulation that prohibits alteration or destruction of the building during litigation. The hotel, which never opened for business, had intended to offer 400 rooms and about 200 residences. The residence plan was scrapped due to a construction error.