Truckee considers commercial project for its original Main Street

TRUCKEE, Calif. -- At one time, Jibboom Street's saloons and brothels were the main draw in this Sierra Nevada town.

Now, officials are considering a plan to revitalize Truckee's original Main Street with new commercial activity.

The plan calls for five new commercial buildings along Jibboom and conversion of an old motel into a 2,725-square-foot restaurant. A few businesses now are scattered along the downtown street.

"What we hope it does is allow the development of Jibboom Street from one end to the other," said Gerry Rodriguez of MWA Architects, the project designer.

Rodriguez said he often sees tourists walk to the end of Commercial Row -- the downtown's main drag -- and wonder where to go next. He envisions Jibboom becoming an extension of Commercial Row's shops and restaurants.

Rodriguez noted the design reflects the style of architecture prevalent on Jibboom in Truckee's early days.

"There's a lot of alluding to what was there historically," he told the Sierra Sun newspaper.

The plan also calls for a nine-lot residential subdivision on nearby High Street.

The town has received a formal application, and the planning department is requesting comments from certain parties about the project.

"We are taking this to the planning commission probably in May or June," said associate planner Heidi Scoble.

The project also will have to go before the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee and town council for action.

Sharon Arnold of the Truckee Donner Historical Society said the buildings that once lined Jibboom were torn down in the 1970s.

"They were old and nobody liked them, and they didn't care about historical preservation then," she said.