Last week I wrote about a resort proposal for our county that is being circulated among some public officials and business owners. Many of you have asked for more details about it.
To be sure, the plan is in the very preliminary stages. But it is none-the-less being circulated and taken seriously by some public officials, mostly in Grass Valley.
The plan is being met with mixed reviews. Financing is “TBD,” according to the plan. The proposal is from “Sierra Nevada Destination Services” and Keith Davies and Robin Galvan-Davies of Grass Valley.
Davies is a fourth-generation Nevada County resident. The proposal cites Grass Valley City Council Member Dan Miller as a “good friend since high school.”
The Davies recently have been involved in some tourism-related discussions in Grass Valley or at workshops. I was at one that the Davies and Dan attended together.
I was hoping The Union would write about the Sierra Grand Hotel resort proposal, because I figure the editor/publisher must have heard about it (and I’ve got other work to do). But I’m providing some details in response to the questions that are arising, including from people who know about it.
I’m going to refrain from expressing any opinion, at least for now — though I was inclined to post a video from the “Music Man” below because of the plan’s grandiose nature. I mainly wonder why there isn’t more transparency with a plan of this scope, even in the early stages.
This is community-wide decision, and we need to be democratic about it.
The Resort: “A destination in and of itself.” “It’s (sic) prestige will attract the travelers that Nevada County desires to attract,” according to the proposal.
“•200-250 Rooms and Suites
•18 Hole Championship Golf Course
•Tennis Courts
•World Class Spa and Beauty Salon
•Garden Pool
•Rose Garden Wedding Park
•Convention/Ballroom/Banquet Space
•Breakout Meeting Rooms
•Restaurants
•Steak House
•Grand Buffet
•Retail Shops
•Valet and Guest Parking/Town and Airport Shuttle
•Enough Additional Land to add Rooms and Meeting Facilities as Needed
Down the road, a 4,000-5,000 seat Amphitheatre is contemplated. Examples of entertainment: Jessica Simpson, Emmem, Pink, Chris Brown and Justin Bieber for young people; and Eagles, Moody Blues with the San Diego Philharmonic Orchestra, The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel and Santana for “old rockers.”
The resort would be built in Nevada County outside the city limits of Grass Valley and Nevada City, — preferably on land provided by the Nevada County Supervisors at the bargain price of $1 and large enough to accommodate expansion, according to a Q&A.
In 10 years’ time, even with the competitive growth that will surely come to the area, the Sierra Nevada Grand will need more guest rooms and more meeting space to accommodate its growing clientele. Be prepared for success!
The resort would be owned by Nevada County either entirely or in partnership with other interested entities. There are many options available for discussion and negotiations.
•How will this Resort Hotel be paid for? TBD
Depends on many factors not yet in place. Much more discovery, fact-finding and
discussions during the planning process are required to present the many options and answers for funding
•From conception to completion, it will take approximately five years to build the resort, including the golf course.
•At this early date, the room rate is to be determined. A present day, Four Star Hotel and Resort generally has a Rack Rate structure of between $250.00 to $450.00 per night.
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I’m skeptical. This proposal should be followed and carefully analyzed
Mr Wahlstrom, Skepticism regarding the Proposal is expected. We agree that this proposal should be followed and analyzed carefully.
What we wrote is food for thought, not an imposed agenda, and we hoped that it would engender discussion. As we stated, if growth comes, not through OUR ideas, then perhaps it will come through YOURS.
Mr. Pelline has related some of what the “Proposal” entailed, and as with all bold visions, there will be detractors and those who see the possibilities. As we noted.
Here’s how we began:
“Our first question was, what does Nevada County need? Yes, a Plan that will not only highlight the Grass Valley/Nevada City area and give it prominent attention, but one that will give it a sustainable series of interesting, exciting events that will bring people back to Nevada County year after year. The byproduct of achieving The Objective is that new jobs, in every aspect of employment will be created. Restaurants and retail sales will be revived, sales and lodging taxes will rise, home rental and sales will increase, new enterprises will want to locate in a thriving community creating more jobs, and by extension, the greater population of Nevada County will benefit exponentially.”
“We acknowledge there are those that will say that these projects will cost a lot of money, especially the first two in the proposal. Yes, they will! However, 10 to 20 years from now they may be prohibitively expensive, whereas, today we can still manage the costs with creative thinking, community support, and the cost of money at its lowest point in decades.”
“We believe that with widespread support from the Board of Supervisors, Both City Councils and Chambers, Both City Managers, the Business Community, the Union Newspaper, the Wine Vintners, Shop and Restaurant Owners, the Theatrical and Arts Community, the Building Contractors, Real Estate and Engineers Associations, Non-Profit Organizations and the General Public as a whole that all or any portion of our Plan for Nevada County can come to fruition over the next two, but not more than the next 5-10 years. If the big ticket items are not presently in reach, start with the easier ones that can be implemented quickly and build your Plan from there.”
“However, no matter what direction you should choose, please choose a direction that will prove to be BOLD for this County, its Cities, and the Citizens that have supported you. If not this Proposal, purpose one of your own, and go forth, as now is the time!”
To dismiss the consideration of any quality business or entertainment entity that is a good fit with the community, that will have a positive impact on the community through benefits of the tax and revenue base it brings to Nevada County, is self defeating. We certainly do not advocate irresponsibility in any quarter, and know that it will take an effort by the entire community, not just a few, to restore luster to Nevada County.
I have a sign on my desk that reads:
You can Tell me that you CAN do it, or you can tell me that you CAN’T do it, either way, you will be correct!
Thanks for your comments and taking the time to read the Proposal.
“The resort would be built in Nevada County outside the city limits of Grass Valley and Nevada City, — preferably on land provided by the Nevada County Supervisors”
So is the land where this proposal is being considered currently owned by the county?
No specific location is being discussed yet.
No land is currently being proposed, either private or public. It could be built on private land should a private owner come forward with such a Proposal. As to County, land that may be available. In order for major investors to get involved all interested parties that could benefit financially from such a venture need to step up to the plate and put skin in the game. The County’s contribution could be the necessary land, either by sale at an attractive/reduced price or by a long term lease at a favorable rate. There are many options that the County can offer as incentives to attract business to Nevada County.
Thanks for your comments and taking the time to read the Proposal.
How is South Lake Tahoe doing? They have hotels, golf courses, and amphitheatres. They also have a ski resort and a sizable pond.
Chris, last time I checked South Lake Tahoe was still alive and overall doing well. They have good paying jobs, stable real estate prices and year around tourism, as long as they get a normal snow fall. My understanding is that gaming is off because, in part, the slowed economy and the California Indian Casino’s which have taken their share. Yes, we are not Lake Tahoe, in fact, if we were to begin to draw tourist anywhere in the numbers that South Shore does, the question we pose is this: Where do they stay considering Western Nevada County has approximately 400 rooms? Thus, we have proposed The Sierra Nevada Grande, not only to help solve that problem, but also as a destination unto itself. In addition to well traveled tourist’s (those who carry the American Express Platinum and Gold Cards) visiting Nevada County (should the Sierra Nevada Grand be built) the success of such a venture would hinge on the Corporate, Association and Government Markets for bookings. In fact, 50 percent of the room nights booked at the Resort would need to be for the above groups, at rates between $250-450.00 per night, in order for it to succeed.
Hope I addressed your concerns and thanks for your comments.
Resorts are the ones suffering the most in this ecomomy. Also.. the bigger Resorts have enough trouble getting the big acts in small venues…Justin Bieber..come on. maybe they will get him when he becomes a has been and begging for work. Pink? yeah right, this plan has “stink” written all over it. Who can say “Pipe Dream”?
Pete, I can say “Pipe Dream!” But where do all dreams begin? Usually it starts with a single thought, idea or educated knowledge and from there, more thought and conversation takes it from one form and usually it ends up in another form that either dies or becomes something close to, if not the epitome of that dream?
I was asked to put together my ideas that would fundamentally change Nevada County’s future economy. Make things better for its Citizens. Based on extensive knowledge and 40 years of experience in both hospitality and entertainment I can tell you that any and/or all of my suggestions could succeed in Nevada County if as a group we were to have the cooperation needed by all necessary parties to go forth. I am fourth generation Nevada County. I know what I speak!
Thanks for your comments and concerns.
Love the video! Hahaha…..
This reminds of the late 90′s when NASCAR was allegedly going to put in a 2 mile, 300,000 spectator Superspeedway in Yuba County. NASCAR was coming!! Daytona West!!
I believe they actually had the land…..but no $$. And, NASCAR had no room in their schedule. And as soon as Penske built in SoCal and the people from Charlotte Motor Speedway bought Sears Point (I mean Infinion Raceway)……all over.
This is a joke, right?
“Enough Additional Land to add Rooms and Meeting Facilities as Needed”
“preferably on land provided by the Nevada County Supervisors at the bargain price of $1″ –
wait a minute, April Fool’s is past….
No joke Sharon! Yes Sharon should The Resort be the success we envision, why would you not want the additional acreage necessary to expand and provide even more success? In order to entice serious money to invest in such a project everyone that stands to benefit financially must have “skin in the game.” The County could provide very favorable terms to the developer, should there be a piece of land available, by enticing the developer’s investment with a land sale price with favorable terms. Another option could be a long term lease over may years with escalating lease rates as time goes on. In order for this or any project of this size to go forward, all sides and interested parties must be flexible and open to negotiations that will benefit all financial interests.
Thanks for your input and comments. Hope my answer helped clear your concerns.
If they think this is a viable plan then they should pay a fair price for the land, put up the money, and take the risk. This socialize the risk and privatize the profits stuff is baloney.
“LIKE”
Thanks!
Gail, given what you have read in Mr. Pelline’s Blog, I can understand your comment considering the Project baloney. What was NOT included in the blog, were the profit projections for the Cities and the County per year for the resort and the events. The Project does not ask the County to socialize anything. Incentives given to entice investment are the norm. Once again, in order for a project of this size, either The Resort or The Amphitheater, to go forward everyone with a financial benefit must have “skin in the game’. The County, the Cities, and it’s Citizens would benefit hugely from increased TOT and sales tax revenue, good paying jobs, new support businesses, increased infrastructure, and unparalleled number of visitors to Nevada County.
This is BOLD thinking for a 5-10 year plan for future expansion of “Clean Money” for this County and its Cities. “Clean Money” means this: They Come, They Spend, They Leave. They Come Back Again.
Hope I addressed your concerns.
GV/NC already has pretty much everything on the list. We could add the missing links like amphitheaters, upgrade a golf course somewhere, etc. without building a new mini-town somewhere else.
I want to see the list of properties the BOS has at its disposal to give away to developers.
The County owns the airport and some adjacent land and a part of the former Bear River Mill Site off Rt 49. I can’t imagine the BOS going into the resort hotel business and they can’t give away public land to private businesses.
Brad, what is it in our Proposal that Western Nevada County already has that will bring in Corporate, Association, Government and Group business to Nevada City and Grass Valley? All “Clean Money” visitors! Business that would stay 3-5 days here spending their money in our shops, restaurants, hotels, caterers, wineries, night clubs, entertainment events and infrastructure businesses.
The future of Nevada County is where my thoughts are without large increases in the current population and all the while increasing the County and Cities tax revenues.
Note: No mention of the County “giving away” property is in our Proposal. As stated in my response to Gail, the yearly Profit Projection pages for the County and Cities for both the Resort and the Events were omitted from Mr. Pelline’s Blog. Additionally, the County may NOT have the property that would be desirable for any of these projects, as I have not seen their inventory, but should a property be available, lets have this discussion as the future revenues and growth for the County should be a consideration.
Thanks for you comments.
Keith,
You wrote ‘no mention of the county ‘giving away’ property is in our Proposal.”
Yet your proposal reads: ‘The resort would be built in Nevada County outside the city limits of Grass Valley and Nevada City, — preferably on land provided by the Nevada County Supervisors at the bargain price of $1 and large enough to accommodate expansion, according to a Q&A
I didn’t “omit” anything. Why don’t you share the “yearly profit pages projection” with us?
Supertramp’s “Dreamer” enters my mind.
They are stating the caliber of amphitheater bookings before even have an agreement on their “bargain price of $1 or ANY idea of how to finance this mammoth project — by Nevada County standards — in the midst of a financial crisis & recession. . .
Visioning is great, but to put something so grandiose and off-the-charts in writing seems incredibly premature.
“Dreamer. . . Nothing, but a dreamer. . .” But I guess you gotta start somewhere. . .
Tiltymel, so you remember when “Supertramp” recorded here in the ’80′s?
With a project like an Amphitheater, there’s no mystery to crunching numbers to accomplish the “dream.” It is a matter of arithmetic and having all of the principals on board with cooperation as the byword and united in vision.
Thanks for you comments.
We do keep up with the news “back home.” Keith Davies and Robin Galvan-Davies were just named the new management team of the Grass Valley/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.