Loop Road project the topic at South Lake Tahoe Chamber

The public has been on a long journey with the Tahoe Transportation District over the US50/South Shore Community Revitalization project, one that has followed twisted roads and endured roadblocks and detours.

Now it appears the project, also known as the Loop Road, is on the back straightaway, approaching the final turn and homestretch.

For several years the public has been invited to be part of the process and plan, and public involvement continues. The initial concept of a bypass of the Stateline area was first proposed in the early 1970s, then resurrected again in 1980. Early public outreach began in 2003 and it continues today with public meetings, planning sessions and presentations.

On Monday, the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce invited the TTD team of District Manager Carl Hasty, Tiara Wasner and Russell Nygaard to discuss the project at their monthly board meeting.

Members of the Chamber, who often called themselves the "California-based Chamber" or the "small chamber" have been very vocal against the project in the past, claiming it will move tourists into Nevada and create hardships for business owners while it dislocates lower income residents in the area.

"This group has historically said the Loop Road Project is all for Nevada," said Hasty.

Hasty addressed their concerns with a revamped plan that took all of the public comments over the past few years. The plan now adds low-income housing with retail on the bottom floor, and flow that business owners in the area have embraced.

One of the big issues though, is the removal of 87 residential units (some apartments, some homes). The new alternative plan for the relocation of Highway 50 replaces those with 200 new units. It might be necessary to use eminent domain for those 87 units, but nothing will be known until the project moves forward and property owners are offered compensation for their homes and apartments. People renting in the area would qualify for financial assistance when they relocate for up to 18 months after moving.

One benefit of the proposed location of the Loop Road will be the elimination of 5,000 car trips a day that go through the small neighborhood back roads between Pioneer Trail and the casinos. Many of the residents in that area are looking forward to safer streets by their homes.

The owners of the 7-11, Subway, Bottle Shop and Naked Fish have all expressed approval of the favored alternative of the plan according to Hasty. He said one owner of a nearby apartment building said he wished he was in the path of the new road so he could rebuild elsewhere in the community.

Some of the Chamber members present voiced their concern that the road plan is all for the tourist and doesn't take the local's concerns into consideration. They also said they'd like the plan to go to the voters.

"I don't know of any plan anywhere in the country that goes to the voters," said Hasty.

Another concern of the group was the traffic being rerouted from in the front of businesses to behind. "Just because 40,000 cars drive by daily doesn't meant they'll stop," Hasty responded. The plan brings in more walking and biking areas, something proponents feel will bring more shoppers to the area.

If finalized, new housing units and the new highway would be built first, then the road area going in front of Heavenly Village, which would be the easiest and quickest, would come last.

The project's next step is the release of the environmental review which will come within the next two months. The public then has 90 days to respond, then the City of South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County Commissioners, TTD Board and TRPA will all have to approve it.

The project is estimated to cost about $65 million which wouldn't include the housing. Hasty said there has already been a lot of interest from the private sector to invest and build in the area because of the project. Some financial contributions already include Douglas County, where voters have already approved a five cent per gallon tax, a portion of which will go to the road. Edgewood Tahoe has said they'll donate land that would be needed for an easement. Hasty also said there is money from California available for low-income housing to be built that they could tap into.

The whole town could benefit from the Loop Road because of increased property tax and sales tax expected to be generated, money that could go to the "Y" area to stimulate business.

There will be another public meeting on the US50/South Shore Community Revitalization project at the end of January. For an online "open house," visit http://www.connectsouthshore.com/ for all of the project's details.