Jen, your point of view is very thoughtful and your postive attitude is evident. However, I disagree with the assertion that SLT is dangerous for bikers & walkers. I will admit riding along, or near HWY 50, and some of Pioneer Trail can be questionable at times.

I would like to see some statistics regarding this dilemna. My guestimation is that most biking accidents have historically occurred on the 2 main roads. The one exception, which happened about 1 month ago, was on an arterial road (Blackwood). And the driver (if I recall correctly) was unlicensed.

I live in the Lakeview neighborhood, and see constant foot & bike traffic throughout the area, with few problems to report. If people are complaining about unsafe conditions, they just aren’t trying hard enough to find alternative paths away from the main roads.

I noticed that you work at LTCC. Al Tahoe Blvd is an excellent model for your ideas, but unfortunately not every secondary street in town was designed with the extra acreage to allow those paved paths/sidewalks. In my neighborhood, Lakeview, Tallac, and Los Angeles are the main arteries…but I doubt there is enough land available to add sidewalks.

In the meantime, I suggest that the “Town Centers” which could use a combination of environmental & pathway upgrades are Bijou Center, and Park Avenue (opposite side of Raley’s & Heavenly Village). Notice I failed to mention Harrison Avenue in my neighborhood, as it is already scheduled for upgrade in 2013.

I’ll happily admit I am uneducated as to what issues might prohibit revitalizing those 2 areas…zoning? land ownership? etc.

But for those who do know, and are key stakeholders, I submit those nominations for the next-in-line upgrades.

In my most recent trip to SLT in late July, I noticed a hard to define perception of increased energy and positive attitude amongst the crowds. Also seemed to hear some types of foreign languages from visitors that I had not heard much of before, as if it were drawing a crowd from more widespread origins.

New restaurants and shops in heavenly village seemed to be hopping, and were well done with welcome new flavors. Taking the next step to bringing in some gourmet food trucks (lose the hot dogs and donuts please) and more interesting craft beers would add further character. Come on, bring in the fresh food innovations from the nearby bay area and central valley farms – stop it with the preservative laden sugar and salt blobs. There is much innovation to be leveraged.

Hiking up Van Sickle park trail to the top and connecting with the Tahoe Rim trail was great – no car needed to get to the start or end of the trip. Ran into a few older tourists staying at the top of Kingsbury Grade who were coming down the trail and concerned about climbing back up, but who were happy to hear of the shuttle buses that could return them without the climb.

After reading through many of the comments submitted relating to the RPU, it’s great to see the enthusiasm and participation of the residents and visitors towards crafting a better future to keep up with the times. Getting citizen interest and participation, along with volunteer help, is the best way to move things forward.

I walked by the attractive new Base Camp lodging facility where (was it the Block?) used to be. Can imagine if they take the area that is the Hole and instead of a convention center, turn it into a locus for active outdoor sports, with a large all season facility that concentrates activities/tours/classes for biking, climbing, non-motorized boating, running, hiking, skiing, photography etc. – along with smaller modern inns and outdoor park space, climbing walls, running water, and recreational shops, restaurants and performance spaces and art festivals/booths. Something for both the highly active and less active visitors.

Tie it all into connecting trails and paths to the Lake and to Edgewood, and to the other pathways yet to be developed that connect to the rest of South Shore. If this center stays vibrant, and the signs and decrepit older facilities are upgraded or removed along Tahoe Blvd., the visitors will be more motivated, and the town will maintain its base from which to thrive in other ways.

Getting to that point, and the renewed image, will bring new interest about the area and desires for people to keep coming back. When the attractions reach a critical mass beyond where they are now, the buzz will pick up and feed on itself.

As Aspen, Vail and Martis Camp have their luxury and exclusivity, Park City its champagne powder, Breckenridge its family environs, Telluride its famous festivals and spectacular surroundings, NorthStar its modern village, and Squaw its Olympic heritage, South Lake needs its own renewed stand apart image.

Being the hub for active outdoor sports of ALL types and seasons – for all people, not just the wealthy – a real town that leans green, cool weather escapes from summer heat, and clearer direct access to the Lake and all its charms and water activity creates a pretty captivating picture – once the development aesthetics are reconfigured and in place.

I thought pot was still illegal except for the sick. Call the police. I’ll do it.