The Tahoe Conservancy has finished demolishing the former Motel 6 in South Lake Tahoe to in hopes of restoring wetland habitat.
The Conservancy, along with the California Department of General Services and Clauss Construction, removed two former motel buildings, a vacant restaurant building and swimming pool.
“Removing the aging development from this extraordinarily important area is a milestone everyone who cares about Tahoe can celebrate,” said Jason Vasques, Executive Director for the Conservancy. “Our thanks again to our funding and project partners who helped make this milestone a success.”
The Upper Truckee Marsh South property covers 31 total acres along the Upper Truckee River.
The Conservancy says it is preserving the mountain meadow and wetlands that surround the former motel site, and will soon work on a future project to also enhance recreation and public access.
The vacant motel and restaurant buildings sat on eight feet of fill. The Conservancy is considering options to remove the fill as it plans the future of the property.
The Conservancy worked to acquire the property in 2024 and help protect 25 acres of existing wetlands.
All former buildings, building slabs and footings, and paved parking areas are gone from the site, with much of the waste material being recycled.
After being fenced off to protect public safety, the area is now open to the public.
(Tahoe Conservancy contributed to this report.)
