Ceremony Features Remarks by Former President Bill Clinton, Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman and President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, Rick Fedrizzi LAS VEGAS, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Shangri-La Construction and Thompson National Properties announced today that their first joint development project, a retrofitted Class A office building in Las Vegas is the first in the state of Nevada to be awarded Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System(TM). The 1960s office building, located at 302 East Carson Avenue in downtown Las Vegas, was the centerpiece at a grand opening event held today with special guests Former President Bill Clinton, founder, Clinton Foundation and sponsor of the Clinton Climate Initiative; Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman; and President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, Rick Fedrizzi. New building features at 302 E. Carson Avenue include: - Chiller Replacement and Extensive HVAC Efficiency Upgrades - to improve building performance by more than 30 percent, saving in excess of $50,000 per year in electricity costs. - Cooling Tower Replacement - to increase energy efficiency and improve interior air quality. - Solar White Roof - light colored roof to reduce its urban heat island effect and interior building temperature. - Window System Replacement - new dual glaze windows reduce heat transfer into the building, lowering utility bills and increasing tenant comfort. - Plumbing upgrades - low-flow and no-flush plumbing fixtures have been installed to reduce water use in the building by 40%, while native and drought tolerant landscaping has been installed with a drip irrigation system that reduces potable water use by more than 72%. - Upgraded Lobby, Elevator and Finishes - to modernize the building to current Class "A" standards.