A new event center got final approval Thursday for Lake Tahoe's south shore.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the bond for the new event center. The 132,000 square foot center will house conventions, special events and entertainment.
The annual economic impact is expected to be $40 to $60 million, with an estimated tax surplus of $1 million. Officials also expect an additional 550 year-round jobs and as many as 800 construction jobs for two years.
Commissioners Barry Penzel, Wesley Rice and Larry Walsh voted in favor; Commissioners John Engels and Dave Nelson were opposed.
The new center will be located adjacent to MontBleu Casino in Stateline on property donated by Edgewood Tahoe.
Construction could start this summer, with completion anticipate for 2022.
Funding for the $80 million+ project requires no tax increase for residents. Funding sources include $34 million or 19% via Douglas County Redevelopment Area #2, created in 2016 to strengthen the area’s economic base through focused attention and financial investment; a $5 per night lodging surcharge on each room at Tahoe Township properties (casinos/hotels, Lodge at Edgewood and vacation rentals) will account for 43% of debt service to repay the bonds; and current transient lodging license tax and transient occupancy tax for the remaining 38%.
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ORIGINAL STORY: March 26, 2020
Officials with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) say in a unanimous vote Wednesday, their Governing Board approved Tahoe Douglas Visitor’s Authority’s proposed $100 million event center project.
Officials say the proposed event center also includes associated transit and parking improvements for the South Shore casino corridor.
They say the project now moves to Douglas County Commissioners for final consideration.
Officials say the proposed project will create a 138,000 square-foot, 6,000 seat center for performances, trade shows, ice shows, and sporting events. Attendance will be capped at 2,500 people during peak summer months in an effort to manage traffic congestion, according to TRPA documents.
They say the South Tahoe Events Center will be located at the corner of the Highway 50 and Lake Parkway in Stateline, Nevada. This property currently serves as a parking lot for the Mont Bleu Hotel and Casino.
“We have seen redevelopment projects right next door on the California side of the state line that brought air and water quality improvements and significant reductions in vehicle use,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne Marchetta said. “This project offers the opportunity for revitalization to continue through the Nevada side of the South Shore’s most highly-developed community area and can serve as a catalyst to improve transit services.”
Officials say 60 people submitted public comments to the board during the meeting with more having submitted comments in advance. While most comments praised the economic benefits the project could bring to the South Shore, those opposed raised concerns about potential increases in traffic and vehicle emissions.
They say to meet TRPA transportation and transit goals, Tahoe Douglas Visitor’s Authority proposed transit and parking management plans to lower the likelihood of traffic congestion. Transportation elements of the project are to include:
- Free and frequent transit service with free year-round transit to surrounding neighborhoods.
- Consistent paid parking at four neighboring hotel/casinos.
- Creation of a new mobility hub for public buses and so-called microtransit (van) shuttles located at the gateway to the Stateline.
- Use of emerging technologies, to connect people to transportation, ridesharing, parking information, transit, and alternative transportation options.
- Bus and shuttle lane turnouts and separate areas for Uber/Lyft access.
- Traffic control officers deployed at key intersections during peak times.
Officials say the Event Center project heads to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners hearing on April 2 which will also be streamed online. The Tahoe Douglas Visitor’s Authority aims to break ground on the project this summer.
