Ground breaks on final Harrison Avenue phase and Champions Plaza

If you haven't been by Harrison Avenue lately you'll find some big changes. Landscaping has gone in, one way streets are in place, there are more walking and biking areas and stores are being updated to reflect the new look.

The final phase of this year's project is the parking lot at the north end across from Lakeview Commons. And after the City Council's unanimous vote at Tuesday's meeting, the corner will also be Champion's Plaza.

As a permanent landmark to honor Lake Tahoe's past, current and future National and Olympic champions.

How it will look is what isn't known.

The Council voted to take $60,000 from the General Fund and give it to fund the plaza. Since ground was breaking on the parking lot this week it was important to bring the plaza to vote quicky so they could save money down the road and get it completed while the rest of Harrison Avenue was being completed.

Artists were given a chance to submit artwork for the design of the plaza. The top two were voted on by a committee but many who spoke at the meeting voiced their support of letting more artists get involved. The proposal request was done perhaps too quickly as it was once thought they needed the art before they could build the plaza. They will open up bids after artists can walk through the new plaza and get a feel for size and presentation. The two artists who originally were selected were sculptor Mishell Riley who's bronze and stone sculpture was of the Nike Goddess of Victory, and artist Mark Allione who submitted flag creations.

The plaza itself was designed by Design Workshop and includes a "Walk of Champions" and a "Wall of Champions" as well as a place for flags and pedestals. What is envisioned is that people will climb on the pedestals and take photos like they do at the "Welcome to South Lake Tahoe" sign by the airport. The lake and Wall of Champions would be the backdrop to photos of people on these pedestals.