Public input sought on new Tahoe South Events Center

Could there soon be a publicly-owned events center on the corner of Highway 50 and Lake Parkway on the MontBleu parking lot in Stateline, Nevada?

The plan to build the 88,420 square foot Tahoe South Events Center is now in the scoping stage where the public can weigh in and provide comments on the Tahoe Douglas Visitor's Authority (TDVA) proposal to construct the assembly, event and entertainment venue.

A one-percent rise in Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) to 14 percent for hotels and vacation home rentals at the lake portion of Douglas County was approved by the County Commissioners to take effect July 1, 2017. That increase was to fund this project.

The proposed project would be built on portions of two parcels currently owned by Edgewood Companies. One is the site of the MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa and the other is an adjacent undeveloped parcel located immediately east of the existing surface parking area. Although both parcels have been used to define the project area, the proposed improvements associated with the events center would be situated within a 13.3-acre boundary that fits almost entirely within the existing MontBleu surface parking lots.

The proposed Events Center building consists of two levels: an event floor level and a suites and offices level. The building footprint is approximately 88,420 square feet and the total floor area is approximately 138,550 square feet. Overall seating capacity is approximately 6,000, which includes floor seating for a concert or performing arts event. On the ground level fixed, telescopic seating is arranged in a horseshoe pattern around the event floor with the event stage at one end. This ground level concourse also includes restrooms, concessions, ticketing, first aid and entry vestibules. Support and storage facilities are also located at ground level and are directly accessed via the exterior loading and service bays. The loading and service area is located behind the building and below Lake Parkway's elevation, screening it from view. The second level includes fixed loge seating, 13 suites, press boxes, spectator concourse, support facilities, meeting rooms, conference space,offices and restrooms.

TDVA will be responsible for the planning, construction, and eventual operation of the events center. A subdivision of land consistent with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) policies is anticipated for the purpose of conveying the newly created parcel to TDVA. The newly created parcel will function completely independent from the Edgewood Companies parcels through the acquisition of utility and access easements necessary for the events center to operate as a standalone facility.

Related project improvements include an adjacent outdoor gathering space, reconfigured surface parking lots and internal circulations, multimodal and pedestrian circulation enhancements along U.S. Highway 50, and improved stormwater treatment facilities designed to capture and treat runoff associated with the proposed improvements.

TRPA is requesting public comments on the scope and content of the environmental assessment that will be prepared for the proposed events center project. Comments would be most helpful if received by February 5, 2018, and can be sent by mail, fax, or email, or dropped off at TRPA during regular business hours.

If you require additional information, please contact Paul Nielsen at (530) 318-6025 or submit questions and comments by email to pnielsen@trpa.org.

The full scoping notice with additional details regarding the proposed Tahoe South Events Center Project is available online at http://www.trpa.org/document/projects-plans/ and during regular business hours at the TRPA offices at 128 Market St., Stateline, Nevada.