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Western Edition
October 13 2019 Vol. IX • No. 21
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
MSG Sphere at The Venetian
Madison Square Garden Company photo
Kirby-Smith Hosts Odessa Open House…8
Native Environmental Helps Ariz. Mining Industry…15
As much as 10,750 tons of steel will be used during construction, with rebar totaling 12 million lbs.
By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
Lake Erie Unveils Pitbull 5700 Before Anniversary…37
Currently under construction just outside Las Vegas, MSG Sphere at The Venetian will serve as a state-of-the-art entertainment venue when it makes its highly anticipated debut. Crews in Paradise, Nev., are making steady progress on the spectacular, multi-
million dollar structure, which was designed using cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize entertainment. “MSG Sphere at The Venetian is not only an architectural marvel, but it also will fundamentally change the way artists, performers and storytellers interact with audiences,” said Jayne McGivern, executive vice president, design
and construction, The Madison Square Garden Company. “With a scalable capacity for 17,500 guests seated, MSG Sphere at the Venetian will be the first venue to deliver fully immersive experiences on a scale never before seen.” The cost to construct the MSG Sphere has been estimated at upwards of $1.2 billion. The proj-
ect is being built on an 18-acre site located on Sands Avenue between Manhattan Street and Koval Lane. A nearly 1,000-ft.-long pedestrian bridge will connect the venue to Las Vegas Sands’ Venetian and Palazzo complex, the biggest resort under one roof in North America. MSG Sphere, led by Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas see SPHERE page 50
Table of Contents ................4
Niece Extends Industry Success to NASCAR
Attachments Section....27-30
By Craig Mongeau CEG EDITOR IN CHIEF
Recycling Section ........37-49 Truck & Trailer Section..........................57-60 Auction Section ..........63-67 Business Calendar ............64 Advertisers Index ..............66
Can building trucks translate into being really good at racing trucks? The two skill sets are seemingly mutually exclusive, but not for Texas man who has not only made a name for himself in the construction industry, but also is making an impressive name in NASCAR racing — in meteoric fashion. Al Niece owns Niece Equipment, a major supplier of water trucks, water towers and lube trucks, with a headquarters in
Buda, Texas, and a manufacturing facility in Fort Scott, Kan. His passion for trucks, which he has built to serve the construction and mining industry for more than 40 years, seemed destined to find an intersection with another passion of his. “I used to race sprint cars and modifieds at the old Longhorn Speedway in Austin on Saturday nights,” Niece said. But he quit when it was time to raise a family, he said. “Eventually, as the business had grown and was doing very well and the family see NIECE page 32
TKP-PHOTOGRAPHY Photo
Just two short years after beginning his quest to race professionally, Niece and his team are among the favorites to win the championship in the Gander Outdoor sponsored NASCAR touring series.