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Construction progresses on Harrison Ave building in South Lake Tahoe

Claire Cudahy
ccudahy@tahoedailytribune.com
Construction is progressing at the building on Harrison Avenue next to Sprouts Natural Cafe. It is expected to be completed in June.
Claire Cudahy / Tahoe Daily Tribune |

Noticeable progress — like the beginnings of a tall, slanted roof — has been made at the Harrison Avenue building that formerly housed Rude Brothers Bagels & Coffee and South Tahoe Standup Paddle.

John Cefalu, a longtime real estate investor, purchased the property with contractor Mike McKeen in February of 2016 with the expectation of major renovations. An inspection revealed the front part of the building did not meet engineering standards, so it was demolished. The back warehouse was preserved, but is being upgraded.

Construction started last July, and after some delays due to weather, should be completed in June.



“The tenant should be doing [tenant improvements] starting in June,” said McKeen. “So the outside will be all done, and the parking lot in the rear will be going in at the end of June.”

Cefalu said they have gotten a lot of inquiries from businesses about occupying the four spaces in the building, but have not committed to anything yet.



“They are very likely going to be eating establishments,” said Cefalu, who owns another building at the corner of Harrison and Tallac Avenues. “But that’s not certain.”

The newly constructed front totals roughly 4,600 square feet, and with the upgraded warehouse space — which was gutted and brought up to code with sprinklers, new electrical and bathrooms — brings the building total to roughly 9,000 square feet.

According to McKeen, the building’s facade will feature a colored, textured metal.

“It’s going to have a lot of glass and different accent metals. It’s kind of contemporary, but still fits into the environment,” said McKeen.

“It’s going to be vibrant. I think it’s going to help everybody else to pick up the pace. Tahoe Mountain Lab did a good job. John’s building looks good, and hopefully the liquor market will come around and it will be a great little street.”

At the end of January, the roof collapsed at the Green Tahoe Market and Liquor Store located in the Pioneer Center on Harrison Avenue due to the weight of snow. The owner of the shopping center, Mehdi Behmard, said they are waiting on an engineering report, which will determine if the building is salvageable or if they will start from scratch.


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