LAKEVIEW COMMONS SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA
...with new ADA access to the beach, lake-viewing terraces, public barbecue/picnic areas, and a lake overlook
LEARNING
TRANSPORTATION
GREEN BUILDINGS
ENERGY
WATER
RESTORATION
CONSERVING RESOURCES
RECREATION
COMMUNITY
THE PROJECT
The Waterfront Commons
Lakeview Commons A Model for Sustainability South Lake Tahoe, CA
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Lakeview Commons
An internationally known team of landscape architects and planners, the winners of a highly competitive design contest, are working with the local community in developing alternatives for the site and a final conceptual plan. The plan will emphasize green building design, energy and water conservation, public transit, and state-of-the-art water quality improvements to protect Lake Tahoe’s famed water clarity. This project is a cooperative effort between the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County, who own the land and are leading the process, and the California Tahoe Conservancy, a state agency that is funding the design phase. The Concept Plan was completed in December of 2007. The process included an in-depth analysis of the site, substantial community participation through a series of public meetings and workshops, and a study of numerous design alternatives to reach a final conceptual plan. Throughout the design process the ideals of sustainability, public accessibility, and cultural activity will be emphasized in both the landscape and the buildings in order to create a gathering place for the local community as well as visitors. For more information:
Lake Tahoe
The Project
Located where Highway 50 meets Lake Tahoe, the Lakeview Commons will provide visitors and residents alike with a worldclass open space and gathering place. The project will be the centerpiece of the community’s efforts to develop a sustainable and vibrant environment and economy. Key elements include a public library and senior center, campground, boat launch, lake front open space and beach, and other civic and recreation facilities.
www.cityofslt.us/56AcreProject/index.html
Lake Tahoe
Project Location
South Lake Tahoe
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
The Forest Commons
...with an all seasons multi-purpose recreational trail winding its way through the forest
~ William Pickens
Community
“Living together is an art.�
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Community recreation center to be renovated and improved
The Forest Commons ...with a place to hold a local farmers market and other community events
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New senior center building and campus
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Expanded and improved public library
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New community center
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New destination playground
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Renovated recreation center
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A place to hold a local farmers market and other community events
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Community meetings and workshops will continue as the project moves forward
Community
One of many outreach meetings with the South Lake Tahoe community during the Concept Plan design process
Lakeview Commons will be a hub for the South Lake Tahoe community. This project includes numerous features that will provide valuable local amenities for day-to-day life, as a place to gather and to explore, to learn and to teach, to work and to play. The local community has played an important role throughout the design process for the project through a series of well attended public workshops and meetings, and a steering committee made up of community representatives.
“Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
necessary because health is worth more than learning.� ~
Thomas Jefferson
Recreation
The Forest Commons ...with a new space for community events set in the forest amongst the great Jeffrey Pines with a backdrop of Lake Tahoe
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Camping Beach activities for all ages
Group picnic/barbecue areas with bocce ball courts Lawn area for informal play
The Forest Commons ...with a destination playground along the main pedestrian path
A space for performances and community events
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An informal amphitheater for events and performances
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An improved waterfront providing ADA access to the beach, with lake viewing terraces and picnic / barbecue areas
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A destination playground
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New biking, jogging, walking and cross-country ski trails
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Gathering places with improved facilities
An open lawn space for informal recreation
Recreation
A boat ramp for launching all types of watercraft and a concession for renting small non-motorized boats
The Lake Tahoe area is a favorite destination in Northern California for vacationing and recreation. The Lakeview Commons project includes a variety of facilities and spaces to provide a wide range of activities for both the local community and visiting tourists. The design and the management of the site will reflect the active sustainable mountain lifestyle with a careful respect for the area’s natural setting.
“A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
borrowed from his children.� ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Conserving Resources
The Waterfront Commons ...with a boat launch, kayak rental kiosk, a potential new walking pier, lake viewing terraces and barbecue / picnic areas
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Reuse of materials for new construction
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Tires and asphalt can be ground up and reused in new paving applications
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Existing trees that must be removed will be reused for site features, architectural features, or fencing
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Use of materials from the site as much as possible for architectural and landscape features
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Reuse of existing buildings which where feasible
Conserving Resources
New development and growing populations are putting heavy demands on the limited resources that nature can sustainably provide. It is of the utmost importance for new projects to strive to minimize the use of new resources and to reuse and recycle the materials at hand wherever possible.
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
~ David Orr
Restoration
“When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.”
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Establishing native understory plant species and riparian species in stormwater catchment basins
Restoring a healthy understory plant community in the forest throughout the site
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Restoration of a healthy understory in the Jeffrey Pine forest throughout the park
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Use of native species for landscape plantings and within stormwater catchment basins
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Preserve and restore the forest canopy to optimal health
Restoration
Tall Jeffrey Pines growing throughout the park creates a scenic setting for the recreational and civic facilities within the more urban context of the City of South Lake Tahoe. While quite beautiful, the forest is in need of a long-term plan in order to preserve its beauty and restore it to optimal health. The Lakeview Commons project will include a study of the forest to develop a plan to improve the health of the forest and establish a thriving native plant community.
expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.”
The Forest Commons ...with understory plant restoration throughout the site and a network of trails for biking, walking, jogging, and cross-country skiing during the winter
~Henry David Thoreau
Water
“A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and
Lake Tahoe is renowned for its spectacular water clarity, which is perhaps the most important environmental concern in the Tahoe Basin. Lakeview Commons will utilize various strategies to clean and filter stormwater run-off before allowing it to return to the natural water system.
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Stormwater infiltration garden
Permeable Paving Systems
Bioswale
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Stormwater detention/infiltration basins to collect run-off from impervious surfaces and structures
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Stormwater infiltration gardens for capturing run-off from buildings
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Permeable paving to allow water to percolate into the ground
Water
Infiltration basins will clean stormwater and allow it to return to the ground water
Energy
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
“A creative economy is the fuel of magnificence.� ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Forest Commons ...with a network of interpretive and recreational pathways and detention basins to filter stormwater run-off
Project Location
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over 50% chance of usable geothermal energy
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Photovoltaic panels over pedestrian and parking areas
Innovative energy systems are fundamental to a any sustainable project. The Lakeview Commons will utilize various strategies to minimize its energy consumption and maximize energy creation. Efficient building and site design will reduce heating, cooling, and lighting requirements, and generative tactics will create energy on-site from renewable sources.
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Photovoltaic panels on south facing building roofs and potentially as canopies for pedestrian and parking areas
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Energy efficient heating, cooling, and lighting strategies
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Solar-powered bus stop
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Potential for geothermal energy use
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Potential for wind power use
Energy
Geothermal energy potential in the Tahoe basin.
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
shape us.� ~ Winston Churchill
The Community Commons ...with a sustainable complex including a new senior center building, library, art center, visitor center and historic museum building, and open lawn and plaza space for community events
Green Buildings
“We shape our buildings: thereafter they
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Optimal ventilation, building envelope, and daylighting to reduce energy use
Energy-efficient radiant heating and cooling
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Sustainable buildings certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System
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A fully sustainable community complex
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Natural ventilation systems to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling
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Energy efficient radiant heating and cooling
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Natural daylighting to reduce the need for artificial lighting
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Optimal building form and orientation
Green Buildings
Buildings constitute about 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Lakeview Commons will strive toward a zero carbon footprint with all of its new buildings, creating a fully sustainable complex. This project will be a model for sustainable design throughout the Lake Tahoe region and beyond.
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
longer despair for the future of the human race.� ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Transportation
“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no
Harrison Ave. Commercial District
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Bijou Residential Neighborhood
Lakeview Commons
Al Tahoe Residential Neighborhood
South Tahoe Middle School recreational facilities South Tahoe Middle School Bijou Community Park
Investing in transportation infrastructure is essential to quality of life and community development. With its central location and multiple on-site bus stops, Lakeview Commons will be fully integrated into the south shore of Lake Tahoe’s public transportation system. In addition it will create new and improve existing connections for pedestrian and bicycle circulation systems.
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A zero-emissions shuttle for transporting people throughout the site and to-and-from parking lots during large events
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Bike parking and Class I bicycle paths set back from the highway to encourage biking as a form of transportation
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Dedicated pedestrian paths for circulation throughout the site and safe pedestrian street crossings
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Accessible, improved bus stops for the local public transportation system
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Potential stop for the future water taxi
Transportation
Lakeview Commons will be an important pedestrian connection between its various surrounding land uses
With its central location in South Lake Tahoe the Lakeview Commons would be an important hub for the public transportations system
“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.� ~ William Pollard
Learning
The Waterfront Commons Class I bike paths along the waterfront and a cantilevered promenade with lake vistas
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Educational signage and interpretive features
Outdoor classrooms for students in nearby schools.
Architectural features to inform people about local ecology and sustainability issues
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Interpretive trail with educational signage to inform visitors about the local ecology and history
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Expanded and improved public library
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Expanded and improved history museum and visitors center
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Outdoor classrooms for nearby schools
Learning
Lakeview Commons is designed to be a landscape for learning. In addition to expanding and improving the existing public library and historic museum, the landscape will include features that demonstrate innovative strategies for sustainability. An educational interpretive trail will wind its way through the park with signage describing how green design features are utilized to conserve resources and protect the regional ecology.
The existing history museum on the site is due for an upgrade
Acknowledgements
Lakeview Commons
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Thanks for all the effort you have committed to help make this a great community project: The Steering Committee El Dorado County Board of Supervisors South Lake Tahoe City Council California Tahoe Conservancy South Shore Community
The Community Commons with a new library and community center situated in the forest near the lake
Printed on recycled paper.