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Jim Grant / Tahoe Daily Tribune/ A crowd gathers for a public auction at the Lake Tahoe Auto Village last Friday.
As South Lake Tahoe explores further redevelopment near Stateline today, the "Y" could also represent the next round of the public-private partnership. If all falls into place in the coming year, the plan would be called Project 2.
Today, the city will discuss creating a redevelopment survey area at the region considered the gateway to South Lake Tahoe. The designation marks the first step in creating a project of the magnitude of the $250 million Park Avenue site.
The action per California law allows the city to retain and use redevelopment tax dollars to fund projects in the plan including parks, trails and other recreational venues.
If approved today, the city would need to send the concept to the city Planning Commission to set the boundaries and come up with a preliminary plan for the proposed redevelopment area. The proposed vicinity is centered on the intersection of highways 50 and 89, running between Los Angeles Street to the south, Lakeview Avenue to the north and Nevada Avenue to the west.
A group of citizens called the Tahoe Valley Community Plan Team has drafted a vision and concept for the gateway, but a big question remained how the improvements designed to remove blight would be financed.
"It's a versatile tool. Without (the funding mechanism), it's like having air without a way to breathe it. We're trying to put meaning to the plan at the 'Y,'" City Manager Dave Jinkens said Monday. "It's going to cost a good amount of money to achieve."
Today, the city will discuss creating a redevelopment survey area at the region considered the gateway to South Lake Tahoe. The designation marks the first step in creating a project of the magnitude of the $250 million Park Avenue site.
The action per California law allows the city to retain and use redevelopment tax dollars to fund projects in the plan including parks, trails and other recreational venues.
If approved today, the city would need to send the concept to the city Planning Commission to set the boundaries and come up with a preliminary plan for the proposed redevelopment area. The proposed vicinity is centered on the intersection of highways 50 and 89, running between Los Angeles Street to the south, Lakeview Avenue to the north and Nevada Avenue to the west.
A group of citizens called the Tahoe Valley Community Plan Team has drafted a vision and concept for the gateway, but a big question remained how the improvements designed to remove blight would be financed.
"It's a versatile tool. Without (the funding mechanism), it's like having air without a way to breathe it. We're trying to put meaning to the plan at the 'Y,'" City Manager Dave Jinkens said Monday. "It's going to cost a good amount of money to achieve."
Jinkens added he didn't think the private sector would come forward with the investment dollars to fund the improvements.
It's unknown at this early stage of development what the city's financial commitment is.
The jury was still out for one vocal plan-team member.
"I haven't made up my mind. It needs to be something they explore. I feel the first thing that needs to be built is the roundabout," said Jerome Evans, a Parks and Recreation commissioner.
At this point, the city Public Works Department is writing a request for a proposal to create an engineering study and design for a roundabout proposed at the popular intersection.
Acting Public Works Director Bill Williamson estimated the engineering study would cost at least $200,000 and would be paid for by state transportation funds. These funds were held up by the delay of the federal transportation bill passed two months ago.
It's unknown at this early stage of development what the city's financial commitment is.
The jury was still out for one vocal plan-team member.
"I haven't made up my mind. It needs to be something they explore. I feel the first thing that needs to be built is the roundabout," said Jerome Evans, a Parks and Recreation commissioner.
At this point, the city Public Works Department is writing a request for a proposal to create an engineering study and design for a roundabout proposed at the popular intersection.
Acting Public Works Director Bill Williamson estimated the engineering study would cost at least $200,000 and would be paid for by state transportation funds. These funds were held up by the delay of the federal transportation bill passed two months ago.
Businesses come and go
In the meantime, businesses have either shifted or become more entrenched at the "Y."
n Lake Tahoe Auto Village closed and furnishings were sold Friday at an auction. Les Schwab will take ownership of the property in a week, Coldwell Banker agent Peggy Eichhorn said Monday.
n In addition, negotiations have died with Big 5 Sporting Goods regarding taking over the lease where the former Mikasa store was located.
n Truckee Overhead Door has bought the building where the National Car Rental office was situated next to U-Haul on Highway 50.
n Also off the major thoroughfare, Barton Memorial Hospital will move offices into a leased building behind Nik-n-Willies pizza parlor.
In the meantime, businesses have either shifted or become more entrenched at the "Y."
n Lake Tahoe Auto Village closed and furnishings were sold Friday at an auction. Les Schwab will take ownership of the property in a week, Coldwell Banker agent Peggy Eichhorn said Monday.
n In addition, negotiations have died with Big 5 Sporting Goods regarding taking over the lease where the former Mikasa store was located.
n Truckee Overhead Door has bought the building where the National Car Rental office was situated next to U-Haul on Highway 50.
n Also off the major thoroughfare, Barton Memorial Hospital will move offices into a leased building behind Nik-n-Willies pizza parlor.
n Nearby, Pier One plans to finish construction and open its store next to Office Depot in November.
n Raley's still remains committed to filling up the retail space between its grocery store and Kmart for its expansion.
Jim Meredith, who runs the shopping center for First Commercial Properties in Sacramento, expressed optimism about the city's move to secure funds for a neighborhood-type plan at the "Y."
"If it turns out anything like Stateline's, then it would be great," he said.
Meredith wasn't alone in his "bring it on" attitude. When presented with the idea Monday, some business managers and workers at the "Y" said they believe the redevelopment designation for their area would be a favorable move.
"Traffic hasn't really slowed down here. People have no reason to come here. I love the idea," said Caroline Rossi, a Levis store manager.
Mike Van Etten agreed, estimating a third of his business at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has dropped off since most of the traffic has been diverted to the Heavenly Village area.
n Raley's still remains committed to filling up the retail space between its grocery store and Kmart for its expansion.
Jim Meredith, who runs the shopping center for First Commercial Properties in Sacramento, expressed optimism about the city's move to secure funds for a neighborhood-type plan at the "Y."
"If it turns out anything like Stateline's, then it would be great," he said.
Meredith wasn't alone in his "bring it on" attitude. When presented with the idea Monday, some business managers and workers at the "Y" said they believe the redevelopment designation for their area would be a favorable move.
"Traffic hasn't really slowed down here. People have no reason to come here. I love the idea," said Caroline Rossi, a Levis store manager.
Mike Van Etten agreed, estimating a third of his business at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has dropped off since most of the traffic has been diverted to the Heavenly Village area.
