Lakeview Commons inches closer to reality

By Kathryn Reed

The $6 million question is: When will the state have that sum to give to the California Tahoe Conservancy so South Lake Tahoe can go forward with the Lakeview Commons project?

It’s possible the state will try to sell bonds this spring before the governor’s May budget revision comes out. Bond sales last fall were less successful than what those on the receiving end had hoped for so people are guarded about showing enthusiasm and optimism about the next go-round.

Picnic areas will be improved at El Dorado Beach. Photo/Kathryn Reed

Lakeview Commons is the beautification project at El Dorado Beach that has been in the planning stage for about seven years. Once the money is in hand, the city is ready to go out for bid. All the permits have been secured. Money to pay for the project is the stumbling block.

The CTC board on Friday approved spending the $6 million on this project when the cash is available. The money will come from Proposition 84 bond sales and Lake Tahoe license plate fees.

Because bids are usually only good for 90 days, the city wants to wait until the money is secure before finding a contractor.

“The timing is critical,” Assistant City Manager Rick Angelocci said after the vote. “It’s possible we could get it all done in 2011.”

With a limited building season in the Lake Tahoe Basin, awarding a bid in summer would amount to only two months of work being able to be completed before the rule of no more moving dirt takes affect Oct. 15.

Lakeview Commons is the first phase of what is also known as the 56-acre project. The rest of the acreage is on the other side of Highway 50 and includes Campground by the Lake.

On the lake side, improvements could be phased in depending on how much bond money flows to the CTC.

The deteriorating retaining walls will be replaced. A cantilevered pedestrian walkway will be constructed that will almost parallel the bike trail.

“When it is built it will be the icon of the South Shore. You will feel like you are floating above the lake,” Peter Eichar, with the CTC, told the board.

A concession stand with rest room and storage for non-motorized boats will be erected.

Improvements will also be made to the street level.

Access to the beach will meet the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

Much of the work to be done is on El Dorado County property that is leased by the city. The memorandum of understanding between the governments had to be amended and was finally approved by their respective elected officials this month.