YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES   Lynn Richardson . Coldwell Banker Real Estate . Lake Tahoe & Truckee

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Engineering Plan of Brickelltown Areas to be updated along Donner Pass Road

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By Michelle Portesi

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Last summer you may have noticed roadwork being done in Old Downtown Truckee. Phase I of infrastructure upgrades were underway to help facilitate the new Brickelltown plan.

The main thoroughfare of the original Old Downtown Truckee has long since been completed. Walkways were improved by adding trees with fairy lights, landscaping and added parking, thus further enticing people to come downtown to stroll, shop and eat amongst the many shops and bistros. I’ll confess, just driving through the thoroughfare of lit trees at night gives me the warm fuzzies. Who wouldn’t want to go Downtown?

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Old Downtown Truckee

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Brickelltown on the other hand, which starts on the west side of Spring Street and culminates at Burger Me and the roundabout, has had upgrades in fits and starts.  New buildings in the spirit of the original vintage architecture were built in some sections that housed interesting boutiques throughout the years and there have been various restaurants in the historical CB White House, but the separation between the main shopping area plus the economy hitting the skids seems to have made it difficult for many long term businesses in Brickelltown to stay in business. Some have weathered the years, but their pedestrian levels have never matched the foot traffic of just a mere block away. Vacant buildings, several non retail/restaurant endeavors interspersed amidst limited parking or just plain dirt on the railroad side only added to the overall feeling of it not being a place anyone had any reason to go out of their way to venture to.

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Rendering of plan for the CB White House Area

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That’s about to change. The Town of Truckee is endeavoring to make Brickelltown just as enticing as Old Downtown a few steps away. The creation of sidewalks and a small landscaped plaza near the front of Marg’s Bistro was the start of tying the two areas together. (Marg’s helped the overall feeling by adding pleasant outdoor seating as well.) This summer, those efforts will continue, as the above ground Phase II plans are implemented to add more pedestrian friendly  walkways, landscaping, small plazas and parking. No doubt those improvements will help businesses in Brickelltown by joining the two areas together and add to the entire experience of visitors and locals alike to our Historic Downtown Truckee.

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Improvements being added along Donner Pass Road in Brickelltown

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To read more about this summer’s phase of the project, parking schedules, road closures, (or if you really enjoy perusing engineering plans), visit the Town of Truckee’s website at: www.townoftruckee.com/departments/redevelopment/brickelltown-streetscape-project

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To learn more about Brickelltown’s history and the Town of Truckee’s building requirements for improvements to the historic district, go here: www.townoftruckee.com/home

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THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!

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By Tim Hauserman

Lake Tahoe is known for it’s amazing recreational opportunities and outgoing group of residents who are dedicated to enjoying the Sierra. It is not known as a manufacturing center and it is certainly too cold to make it as an agricultural hub, but it might surprise you to hear that Tahoe and Truckee is full of ingenious, entrepreneurial folks who have designed and developed a host of interesting products. You can learn about some of the best of them this weekend at the Made in Tahoe Festival in Squaw Valley.

The Festival, which goes from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday May 28th, and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday May 29th, will exhibit the products and services of over 80 locally made or created businesses and organizations. You will find handmade clothes of every variety, fine art and photography, pottery, jewelry, skis and snowboards, stuff for your dog, and interesting packaged food products. You will also be provided with information on a variety of the local non-profits and environmental organizations who are trying to make our communities better places to live now, and for our children and grandchildren.

Hungry? Over thirteen purveyors will be there dishing up an eclectic mix of food.

Ready for some music? The event is a musical extravaganza with several different venues pumping out music all day. Musical performers include: Peter Joseph Burtt and the King Tide, Calling Ophelia, Sneaky Creatures, Lost Whiskey Engine and Truckee Tribe. In addition to music there will also be dance and art performances by Tahoe Flow Arts and the Truckee Dance Factory. For the full list of weekend performances, go here: squawalpine.com/events

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Events in the Village at Squaw Valley

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Finally, a highlight of the weekend will be a Community Farm to Table Dinner on May 28 with food provided by Tahoe Food Hub and Mtn Roots. It’s a five course family style dinner featuring local food and chefs, as well as beer, wine and cocktails. The proceeds benefits the Squaw Valley Institute. Tickets cost $100 for SVI members and $125 for non-members. Reservations are required, go to squawvalleyinstitute.org for tickets.

THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!