One of the latest additions to the MGM Resorts International portfolio is the new landmark MGM National Harbor which sits on the eastern shore of the Potomac River, just south of Washington, D.C. A showcase for sustainability, it features 1 million square feet of gaming, lodging, entertaining, dining, retail and parking space.
This 24-story, mixed-use development was designed with sustainability in mind and includes extensive use of natural light, LED lighting and water-saving features such as a 750,000-gallon cistern that will collect rainwater.
A proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Aggregate Industries US hopes to earn LEED Gold Certification with this project.
“We have a long history of providing architects, builders and developers many options for creating a better-built environment through sustainable construction approaches,” says Morgan Hill, ready-mix concrete sales representative.
As part of this project, Aggregate US supplied 25,000 cubic yards of concrete made with fly ash-blended cement for structural concrete produced by the contractor’s three batch plants located on the job site. Fly ash was used as a partial replacement for portland cement because it helps designers and builders recycle industrial byproducts and, in turn, earn points toward LEED certification of their projects.
“The company’s green building products include recycled crushed concrete for use as base materials, pervious concrete, high-reflectivity concrete and ready-mixed concrete products using recycled materials, such as fly ash or slag cement,” says Hill.
Aggregate Industries US employs LEED associates to assist in obtaining accreditation points. It also produces a LEED guide to calculate the benefits of the company’s products.
“The company’s core business is producing and supplying stone, sand, gravel, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt and concrete products for a wide range of projects, from large, publicly financed infrastructure construction to commercial and residential developments,” says Hill.
When asked about the process of building the MGM National Harbor, Hill notes that during the height of construction there were two shifts per day of about 400 people each, not including all the people involved in deliveries to the site.
“It took approximately two years to build,” he says.
Construction activities started in September 2014 and the casino opened Dec. 8, 2016.
Aggregate Industries US is a leading provider of aggregate and construction materials to markets in 16 states and 300 cities in the US.
