Goodbye Stardust Casino

13 March 2007

LAS VEGAS, Nevada –- (PRESS RELEASE) -- LVI Services Inc., the nation's largest remediation and facility services firm with more than 30 offices across the country, today announced the implosion of Las Vegas' famed Stardust Casino and Hotel Towers. The two towers, which measure 9 and 32 stories for a total square footage of 879,591, were imploded simultaneously at 2:30 a.m. local time on March 13, 2007. The higher tower was the tallest building ever imploded on the Las Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas-based LVI Environmental Services of Nevada, a subsidiary of LVI Services Inc., was engaged to remediate and demolish 27 structures on the 63- acre site, totaling 2 million square feet. Demolition began in December 2006, with asbestos abatement and traditional demolition work. More than 100,000 square feet of asbestos-containing materials have been removed from the property. Upon completion, 170,000 tons of debris will have been removed from the site of the Stardust, with 80 percent being recycled. LVI will spend the next eight weeks finishing cleanup of the site and preparing it for development of property owner Boyd Gaming's new Echelon Place resort.

"We're very excited to be performing the demolition of the Stardust, which includes the tallest building ever imploded on the Las Vegas Strip," said Joe Catania, President of LVI's Las Vegas office. "And, we're proud of LVI's long history in helping to reshape the Las Vegas skyline."

Prior to the demolition, Boyd Gaming held a liquidation sale, dispensing with the furnishings and equipment within the buildings. Prior to implosion, LVI ensured the removal of all debris within the buildings wherever possible. The company mechanically demolished various structures on the site, and removed interior non-load bearing walls and internal structures. LVI was also responsible for ensuring that all utilities were disconnected from the property or protected prior to the implosion and final demolition work.

"We're pleased to help Boyd Gaming and our other clients with projects like this, where protecting and preserving the environment is a top priority for them," Bob McNamara, LVI Services' President and CEO said. "On this and all projects, we remain committed as a company to providing safe, high-quality environmental solutions for our clients."

The implosion of the Stardust marks the beginning of Echelon Place, Boyd Gaming's multifaceted destination resort. Boyd Gaming will begin construction of Echelon in the second quarter of 2007 and plans to open in the third quarter of 2010. The Stardust was the setting for the award-winning Hollywood movie "Casino."

Elsewhere in Las Vegas, LVI has handled the implosions of the Castaways, Sands, El Rancho, Desert Inn and original Aladdin casinos. LVI has also been involved in the demolition of industrial manufacturing and chemical plants, power plants, metal mining facilities and Hollywood movie sets. Businessman bets on Four Queens Since acquiring the Four Queens Hotel & Casino three years ago, local businessman, Terry Caudill, has invested over $20 million in the historic downtown property.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Since acquiring the Four Queens Hotel & Casino three years ago, local businessman, Terry Caudill, has invested over $20 million in the historic downtown property. Having remodeled its guest rooms and public areas, added new dining options, refreshed the casino floor and upgraded its gaming machines, the Four Queens announces its latest achievement -- the anticipated April opening of the Canyon Club.

The mastermind behind the successful launch of the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay, Lance Sterling, reenters the market with the Las Vegas version of his prospering L.A. nightspot, the Canyon Club. Housed in 10,000 square feet accessible through the Four Queens hotel lobby or directly from Casino Center Boulevard, the downtown Vegas Canyon Club, offers a reasonably priced dinner menu and live entertainment nightly from dance bands, comedians and nationally known acts.

"The Four Queens has been a downtown Vegas icon for decades," said Caudill. "When I bought it, I knew the property needed added excitement and a little freshening to regain its luster and stay competitive in the market place. The addition of the Canyon Club goes a long way in helping to achieve those goals."

The addition of the Canyon Club is among the last phases of a reinvestment program that began with the casino's food and beverage offerings. Caudill, who also owns local eatery and brew pub, The Chicago Brewing Company, installed a smaller-scale version of the restaurant that includes a cigar bar inside the Four Queens. "As soon as the purchase was complete, we began to make changes," added Caudill. "Knowing we had an excellent high-end product with Hugo's Cellar, we looked to expand other food offerings with the addition of The Chicago Brewing Company and a walk-up deli and coffee bar."

Room renovations at the Four Queens also were completed recently, with new furniture, carpet, bedding, lighting and 32" high-definition flat-screen LCD TV's in every room. "We hired an interior designer to oversee the renovation," said Caudill. "We are excited about how the rooms turned out, and we are already receiving rave reviews from our guests."

"I applaud Terry Caudill for what he is doing with the Four Queens and believing in the future of downtown Las Vegas," said Mayor Oscar B. Goodman. "Downtown is the heart of Vegas, and the kind of investment that Terry is making is absolutely necessary for the continued success of a revitalized core to the city."

Caudill's plan to usher in 2007 with a completely revitalized and reinvigorated Four Queens is now substantially complete. Public areas still receiving attention include a remodeled casino cage, player's club center and VIP lounge, faster elevators and improvements to its entrances and parking garage.