Tahoe development seeks DDA help as construction nears $2 million in public work

Representatives for the Tahoe development told the Woodland Park Downtown Development Authority on Oct. 7 that exterior and infrastructure work is advancing rapidly and that the project team will ask the DDA to consider a TIF contribution to help cover expanded public work.

Mark, a project representative, told the board the project is “approaching $2,000,000 in the scope of,” and that the building is largely dried in with interior concrete floors complete, banquet/bridal doors installed and the fire-suppression system “about 75% installed.” He said electric and plumbing were each about 50% complete, HVAC about 70%, the gas line is in and curb-and-gutter work and a loop road are starting on the exterior.

The request brought questions about affected right-of-way and approvals from the Colorado Department of Transportation. Aaron, a city staff member present at the meeting, said the DDA and city had sent CDOT the Bergstrom Park study adopted by council and were awaiting CDOT’s response; Aaron added there is no guarantee CDOT will allow the requested change to a left‑turn movement along Highway 24. Josh Myers, the DDA attorney, confirmed the board would not act on a TIF request that day and recommended members review the packet, prepare questions and plan for a future executive‑session negotiation before a public vote.

Board members emphasized schedule constraints tied to the project’s certificate of occupancy. Mark said the team needs a Certificate of Occupancy and to “open in March,” and added that proceeding with the work now is a condition of that CO; the project is therefore pushing forward even as some CDOT issues remain unresolved. Aaron said the CDOT plan set is approved as submitted but staff and the project’s traffic engineer are modeling an additional left‑turn entrance and a punched‑through connection to West Street to evaluate traffic stacking and safety effects.

The board agreed to take the materials under advisement and to hold a special meeting with an executive session for negotiation. Members chose to schedule a special meeting for 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 3; Josh said an executive session could be held at that special meeting or during the regular November meeting depending on scheduling and notice requirements. No formal TIF award or other funding action was taken at the Oct. 7 meeting.

Why it matters: the expanded scope of public infrastructure described by the project team — curb and gutter, loop road, Park Street/Bergstrom Park lane work and related traffic modifications on Highway 24 — increases the budgetary and permitting implications of the development and could affect DDA funding priorities and next year’s capital planning.

What’s next: board members will review the full packet ahead of the Nov. 3 special meeting; the DDA will meet in executive session to discuss negotiation strategy and legal questions and then consider a public vote at a subsequent meeting if a grant or TIF reimbursement is proposed.