The Incredible South Shore Renaissance

Lake Tahoe Undertaking $1 Billion Redevelopment Project

Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Summer/Fall 2001

The results of tens years of planning are starting to take shape in South Lake Tahoe. The centerpiece of South Lake Tahoe's redevelopment -- the Heavenly Gondola, http://skiheavenly.com/resort/summer/gondola/ -- provides direct access from the core of the South Lake Tahoe/Stateline district, and its 5,000 hotel rooms, to Heavenly Ski Resort.

Traveling almost two-and-a-half miles in 11 minutes and 45 seconds, the new gondola is California's longest ski gondola and will also have the most uphill capacity -- with 138 cabins -- of any gondola in the state. The project opened and was operational during the 2000-01 ski season. It will remain open year round for visitors seeking incredible mountain-top views.

Construction of the Marriott Grand Residence Club Resort, a 194-unit quarter-share hotel and residence-style lodging facility, is well underway. The hotel will have a meeting space and fitness facility. The Grand Residence Club will feature 110,000 square-feet of space housing retail shopping, a multiplex theatre, outdoor cafés and an outdoor ice skating rink. The project will improve the aesthetics of the area with its alpine design and landscaping. The Marriott Grand Residence Club is expected to be complete in November 2002.

South Shore's redevelopment effort also includes a 91,000 square-foot convention center, accommodating groups of up to 2,000. An additional 540 hotel rooms will be included in the project, and a two-acre replica of Lake Tahoe will serve as an environmental learning center and outdoor recreation center. The project is slated for completion in 2003.

Following 10 years of planning, studies and politics, the community -- supported by private and public entities investing more than $1 billion in the redevelopment -- has come together with a common purpose. Envisioning the return of the Alpine architecture in the natural setting that first attracted vacationers to Tahoe, South Shore is building on its reputation as a national model in the delicate balance of preserving a fragile ecosystem with reasonable human demand. The overall goal of the redevelopment is to enhance the area's visual, environmental and economic quality.

Aesthetic improvements will include additional sidewalks and scenic sitting areas, while trails and parks and lush greenbelt areas will replace existing pavement. Generous street setbacks will provide a 50-foot buffer between roadways and the new development.

A development effort for the Nevada side of the state line has also been put into action, which will complement the California-side plan.

CONSTRUCTION/TIME LINES
Tentative Calendar: Dates continue to change as confirmation is received

2001 BUILDING SEASON

• May 1 - Nov 2002 -- Construction of Marriott Grand Residence Club Lake Tahoe, Retail and Restaurants/Completion November 2002. Excavation of dirt is complete, however, trucks will continue to use Park Avenue and Van Sickle with a secondary gate access off Highway 50 on an as needed basis for concrete and other work. Site remains fenced off with access through gates to gondola (100 parking sites during construction)
• May 15 - Nov 2002 Start Date of Phase I - Timber Lodge (Marriott), Restaurant and Common Area/Completion November 2002. Excavation is 95% complete with off haul to the Nevada side.
• (NDOT) May - Sept Phase I road work on Loop Road (Upper or mountain side). Work will cease on June 29 and Phase II work will resume July 16 with completion the end of September. One lane traffic open in each direction weekdays 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Two way traffic evenings and weekends.
• Fall Repaving of VanSickle

2002 BUILDING SEASON

• January Opening of South Lake Tahoe Ice Rink
• May 1 - Oct 30 Construction begins on 525-Car Parking Garage, Ice Skating Rink, Cinema, Cecil’s Market, Intermodal Transit Center,Van Sickle Rd.
• Spring Demolition of Love’s Wedding Chapel, Highway 50 & Kingsbury Grade. Construction on Prim Project to include commercial/retail office space, transit center and restaurants, scheduled for completion 2003
• Remodel of Crescent V Fashion Center commences/Completion Fall 2002
• Construction of Run-off treatment basins at Pine Blvd. and Park Avenue

(NDOT) Summer Season Road work on Loop Road (Lower or lake side)
2003-2004 BUILDING SEASONS

• May 2003 Start Date for Phase II - Marriott Vacation Ownership Resort
• May 2004 Start date for Phase III - Marriott Vacation Ownership Resort
• May 2004 Construction commences on Hilton Garden Inn (*Tentative, subject to project approval)

PROJECT TOTAL: $250,360,000

For complete information on the Lake Tahoe, South Shore Renaissance visit the redevelopment web pages on www.virtualtahoe.com.