After hearing two proposals for redeveloping the Tahoe City firehouse properties near Commons Beach in Tahoe City, the Placer County Board of Supervisors last week directed staff to further study the financial and development feasibility of the ideas.

The county-owned Tahoe City firehouse properties include the former North Tahoe Fire Station 51, Tahoe Community Center building and the former visitor center building.

Placer began searching for a partner to redevelop the properties in November.

The first proposal, The Commonwell, features a market hall concept similar to the Ferry Building in San Francisco, coupled with community amenities like an outdoor pool and waterfront amphitheater. It would also include seasonal lakeside retail, a plaza deck and ground- level parking underneath the project site.

The second proposal, Siren Arts at Tahoe City, features flexible-use performance space that could accommodate up to 250 people, combined with retail and exhibition galleries, artist studios and multi-use classrooms. It would also include a rooftop deck, kitchen, office space for local cultural non-profit organizations and workforce housing.

County staff applied for a $250,000 Tahoe Tourism Master Plan grant to cover the costs for further study of the projects’ and site’s financial feasibility.