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Dan Thrift / Tahoe Daily Tribune / South Shore business stakeholders brave the winter elements to tour the 12-acre site near Stateline known as the convention center complex.
Market consistency is something the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority has long sought for the South Shore, and the convention center and hotel resort complex is due to answer that call.
It needs to by the time the first shovel digs in, sometime in May. A lot is riding on the $410 million public-private partnership, which is expected to result in a city-owned facility and reimbursement to Lake Tahoe Development Co. in tax proceeds.
"We have the theory that if you build it, they will come. We've talked to several corporations who have said they will if we bring a program to Tahoe," said LTVA Director of Sales Paul Swanston, who plans to tour several cities to spawn interest.
It needs to by the time the first shovel digs in, sometime in May. A lot is riding on the $410 million public-private partnership, which is expected to result in a city-owned facility and reimbursement to Lake Tahoe Development Co. in tax proceeds.
"We have the theory that if you build it, they will come. We've talked to several corporations who have said they will if we bring a program to Tahoe," said LTVA Director of Sales Paul Swanston, who plans to tour several cities to spawn interest.
While touring the 12-acre site near Stateline with other business stakeholders, Swanston cited the California Association of Water Agencies as ready to line up its 1,900 members for five nights during its May conventions. The visit would equate to $2 million in proceeds to the local economy, he figured.
Market projections have forecast the South Shore convention center to generate $78 million annually into the local economy, with one third as room revenue from the complex expected to attract mid-sized groups.
Convention goers are expected to add up to 191,000 people, according to a market analysis from the developer's market research firm, Hospitality Valuation Services.
And although convention center attendance has recently dropped in facilities like the one at the nation's capital by 13 percent last year, the promise of these metropolis centers as economic drivers is compelling. Conventioneers spend money at the opportune time then leave. They don't require social services and pump tax proceeds into the area, according to a recent Washington Post report.
Market projections have forecast the South Shore convention center to generate $78 million annually into the local economy, with one third as room revenue from the complex expected to attract mid-sized groups.
Convention goers are expected to add up to 191,000 people, according to a market analysis from the developer's market research firm, Hospitality Valuation Services.
And although convention center attendance has recently dropped in facilities like the one at the nation's capital by 13 percent last year, the promise of these metropolis centers as economic drivers is compelling. Conventioneers spend money at the opportune time then leave. They don't require social services and pump tax proceeds into the area, according to a recent Washington Post report.
The market research has determined South Lake Tahoe stands to gain $1.5 million room tax revenue and $800,000 in redevelopment set-aside funds used for housing projects.
Developer attorney Lew Feldman said that, while the declining metro convention center business appears to be a fair characterization of the urban areas, it does not represent Tahoe's situation.
"There's a distinction between the resort meeting market and the urban meeting market. We're not going to compete for Comdex," Feldman said Thursday.
Developer attorney Lew Feldman said that, while the declining metro convention center business appears to be a fair characterization of the urban areas, it does not represent Tahoe's situation.
"There's a distinction between the resort meeting market and the urban meeting market. We're not going to compete for Comdex," Feldman said Thursday.
The distinction that some would refer to as Tahoe's competitive edge can best be said in seven letters - the lake.
And even though the city has agreed to pay off the developer's construction costs with a portion of motel room- and property tax proceeds, the local government has banked on the tax proceeds itself. Feldman told the City Council Tuesday that a predicted average daily rate of $245 would drive a 72 percent occupancy level, a welcome boost to a lodging economy with about a third of its 6,140 rooms considered underperforming.
The change to the project's owner participation agreement brought out a mixed reaction from the local government panel. Councilman Bill Crawford voted against the 4-1 contract amendment because he believes the transfer of tourist accommodation units to increase the number of units for the project represents an assumption the city may have difficulty "hanging its hat on." He cites flat redevelopment motel room tax.
"Without redevelopment, it would be worse than flat," Councilman Mike Weber countered, referencing a struggling economy dealing with a revolving door of retail businesses as well as challenging national and regional market factors.
And even though the city has agreed to pay off the developer's construction costs with a portion of motel room- and property tax proceeds, the local government has banked on the tax proceeds itself. Feldman told the City Council Tuesday that a predicted average daily rate of $245 would drive a 72 percent occupancy level, a welcome boost to a lodging economy with about a third of its 6,140 rooms considered underperforming.
The change to the project's owner participation agreement brought out a mixed reaction from the local government panel. Councilman Bill Crawford voted against the 4-1 contract amendment because he believes the transfer of tourist accommodation units to increase the number of units for the project represents an assumption the city may have difficulty "hanging its hat on." He cites flat redevelopment motel room tax.
"Without redevelopment, it would be worse than flat," Councilman Mike Weber countered, referencing a struggling economy dealing with a revolving door of retail businesses as well as challenging national and regional market factors.
