By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak tightened the social distancing faucet this week when he imposed more COVID-19 pandemic restrictions like ordering residents to not play on golf courses and limiting religious services to 10 people six feet apart from each other. But would Sisolak ever shut down construction at the Raiders stadium site — and construction across the state — as a method to stem the spread of a worldwide virus that is highly contagious and has claimed the lives of 102 Nevadans?
It might just be the toughest potential decision for Sisolak, an unabashed Raiders fan who has expressed vocal support for the NFL team in many forms during the past three years. In April 2017 at the NFL Draft Day 3 event, Sisolak — wearing a Derek Carr number 4 jersey — announced a Raiders draft pick at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on the Strip.
Only three months later in July 2017 before a Las Vegas stadium authority board meeting, Sisolak expressed his love for the Raiders and the Laborers Local 872 union members who would go on to work on the $1.97 billion stadium project by tossing small footballs to the 872 hardhats at the Clark County government center meeting room. Sisolak’s football-tossing ways to the 872 members did not escape the eyes of stadium board chairman Steve Hill who cracked, “How about a round of applause for our opening act.”
Then one month later in August 2017, Sisolak was the star speaker at a Laborers Local 872 stadium celebration picnic event at a park in North Las Vegas.
LVSportsBiz.com was there at the 872 union event to see Sisolak in action. In fact, here’s Sisolak giving a speech:
Sisolak’s cheerleading for the stadium and support for the $750 million public subsidy to help build the 65,000-seat, domed venue came when he served as chairman of the Clark County Commission, which greenlighted the Raiders’ parking plans that drew a lot of attention because the 62.5-acre stadium site only had space for less than 3,000 cars. The Raiders say they have enough parking spaces off site to accommodate the stadium crowds, with a chunk of fans walking from the Strip via Hacienda Avenue, which spans Interstate 15.
In December 2017, Raiders President Marc Badain praised Sisolak for giving the stadium use agreement negotiations between the NFL team and UNLV “a kick in the ass” to move the deal talk along. Sisolak marked the occasion at that Dec. 14, 2017 meeting by snapping this photo of then-UNLV President Len Jessup and Badain shaking hands and posting the picture on his Twitter page.
It’s against this backdrop that Sisolak is leading a state in its fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected 2,456 Nevadans, including two workers at the Allegiant Stadium construction site.
Laborers Local 872 business chief Tommy White said work is continuing at the Raiders stadium site. He maintained the various work sites where 872 members are working around Las Vegas are safer than the checkout lines at Walmart and Albertsons. White said three of his friends have died from this coronavirus and he does not want to lose any 872 members.
But if more Raiders stadium workers test positive for coronavirus, Sisolak would face a difficult decision of what to do about a stadium project that he has politically supported and is emotionally connected to. Could he compartmentalize his intense support for the Raiders and shut down the stadium construction site if it was necessary? He has already received some public criticism for allowing construction to go ahead as essential work, while so many businesses are shuttered as part of the state’s stay-at-home, social distancing strategy.
The Raiders say the stadium is on track to be ready by July 31.
The work site at Raiders stadium has installed multiple signs near construction worker entrances advising them on staying safe and healthy. Here’s a few of the signs and even a sanitizer station.
Here is the statement regarding how the joint venture of Mortenson/McCarthy is handling the second worker who tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 8, 2020
Allegiant Stadium
Statement on Worker with COVID-19
Mortenson/McCarthy was notified last night that a worker on the Allegiant Stadium project tested positive for COVID-19. The individual, who was not in close contact with other workers pursuant to safe distancing protocols, was on-site for one week and left the job site on April 2 prior to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. The individual is now in self-isolation and will not return to work until cleared to do so.
Mortenson/McCarthy previously implemented stringent cleaning protocols on the project consistent with CDC guidelines. In accordance with those protocols, the area where the worker had been assigned, and the surrounding vicinity, was immediately shut down and sanitized. Work continues in other areas of the project that remain unaffected.
Mortenson/McCarthy has the following preventative policies and procedures in place on the project to minimize the risk of coronavirus:
- Strict Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance including directing team members who feel sick or have health-related concerns to stay home
- A verbal health screen of all workers is conducted prior to beginning work on site
- Implementation of social distancing and recommended personal hygiene practices
- Reduced worker concentrations
- Increased sanitation and cleaning throughout the project site including high traffic areas, which are sanitized multiple times per day. Those areas are further monitored to ensure appropriate social distancing. Hand wash stations and sanitizers are available throughout the project site
- Implementation of a COVID-19 Compliance Team to ensure adherence to local, state and national laws/recommendations.
- Staggered start times to minimize the quantity of workers entering the project at the same time.
- Working with customers and trade partners to adjust workflows as necessary
- Implementation of teleconferencing where applicable
- Large group activities were suspended March 16
There are no plans to shut down construction in Nevada amid the coronavirus health crisis in the U.S. The Raiders stadium work site forges ahead. In fact, even Polaris Avenue, which borders the stadium site on the west side, was also getting attention.
These are anxious and difficult times for the Las Vegas tourism-based economy. Sisolak says construction must go on for the economy.
He’s an intense supporter of the Raiders and the stadium. His most difficult decisions may just lie ahead.
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