Public gets chance to ask questions about US50 Revitalization project

The public once again had the opportunity to participate in the planning of the US50/South Shore Revitalization plan (also known as the Loop Road) during a meeting held at South Tahoe Middle School Wednesday evening. About 100 people took advantage of having the opportunity.

A panel made up of three representatives from the project, Tahoe Transportation District's Carl Hasty and Russell Nygaard, and the Project Manager Mark Rayback from Woods Rodgers.

The panel answered questions posed both online prior to the meeting as well as during the meeting. Those in attendance could write their question on a card and South Lake Tahoe Mayor Pro Tem Austin Sass asked them.

Sass organized the event to help the public get answers about the Loop Road, timing, eminent domain, costs and more.

Also at the meeting was Rachel Snedecor, Director of Livermore Downtown. Livermore, Calif., recently went through a road realignment project where Highway 84 was diverted from the downtown. Since then, they have a thriving business district that boasts outdoor cafes, ease of walking between establishments, restaurants, wineries and retail.

Snedecor said the bypass of the highway brought consumers back into the downtown because people now want to be where multiple activities are.

"Turn fear into celebration," said Snedecor. "You need to constantly communicate and remind customers that you are there (during construction). We did not loose any business during the construction and are now exceeding expectations."

She was referring to concerns from the audience about lost revenues during the time road construction is going on. Snedecor said businesses should rely heavily on social media, signage, and education of customers to turn the situation into a positive one.

Tahoe Transportation District will help introduce wayfinding signage into the area, something that has been needed to guide tourists to the lake, trails, and other activiites.

Another question posed concerned eminent domain, and who was going to pay to relocate the residents and businesses affected. Answer: This is the responsibility of the lead agency, Tahoe Transportation District. Carl Hasty said it will be a legal and fair process, something that is required since they will be operating with federal funds.

Hasty told the audience that South Lake Tahoe has an opportunity most resort communities do not have. He said the South Shore can get new roadways, new bike lanes, sidewalks and a general sprucing up without spending money for their creation. Project funding will go to building everything, including the roads, and the city, county or Caltrans will have to maintain their own areas in the future.

Other questions and answers:

What is the cost and how will it be financed? Approximately $75 million with the building of housing an additional expense. There are federal funds that are available, along with some local and state funds along with investment from the private sector. Won't know exactly where money will come from until the plan is approved and TTD can go out get the funding. Money is available through Public Lands Highways federal aid program.

How much will it cost to move water and sewer lines and how will it be paid for? Rayback said he has been working with STPUD and the other utilities for relocation of services. He said this is common with these types of projects. The figure of $10 million had been used which Rayback says seems rather high. The Revitalization Project would pay to relocate, but some costs would be "pass through costs" which would require business decisions from the entities on how to pay for them.

Is the TTD required to furnish low cost housing? Since it is a federal project it is required they build 65 deed restricted units at a minimum. There are currently no deed restricted housing units in the area. Depending on which alternative is used in building the project, up to 200 deed restricted units could be built. Hasty said there has been interest already expressed in the affordable housing portion of the project from the private sector. There are public funding sources available for this type of housing so it could come at no cost to the City. Hasty also suggested that the Stateline area of town may not be the best area for low income housing as most tourist hubs and formalized downtown areas do not have low income housing in the immediate area. He suggested that perhaps other areas in South Lake Tahoe could be identified for new housing.

How much will it cost to relocate businesses and residents forced to leave the project area? Depending on the alternative plan chosen, but about $2 million which will be paid for by Tahoe Transportation District. They would hire those who specialize in relocation to handle this portion of the project. There is a law that guarantees TTD follows certain protocol to protect the affected people. Since they are using federal money they must follow the law.

Hasty addressed some concerns that there will be more roadway for the city to maintain when the highway moves behind Raley's and the casinos. Before the project there is 8050 linear feet, and after there will be 6800 linear feet.

He said it will take about two years to handle relocation of the affected homes and businesses, and demolition. They plan to build the new portion of the highway first, the move traffic off the current road to the new road and start on the final downtown phase.

Tahoe Transportation District will post a video of the complete forum within a week. They are encouraging the public to be more engaged in the upcoming design phase.

Next steps: release the environmental documents, get approval from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, El Dorado County, Douglas County and the City of South Lake Tahoe.

For more information, and to see the soon to be released video, visit their website at http://www.tahoetransportation.org/us50.