Submitted by Lee Weber Koch & Don M. Kanare

Improvements to the Gateway Roundabout are the current project for Incline Village Main Street under the auspices of the IVCBA community and business association.  The improvements enhance safety and aesthetic features, with irrigation as a primary component. The community was engaged in the original project implemented by NDOT and reflects the public-private collaboration in place now.

Since “The Gateway to Lake Tahoe’s” christening in October 2012, the roundabout has been the symbolic entrance to the north shore of Lake Tahoe and features a significant public art display of life-size bronze sculptures by world-renowned sculptor, June Towill Brown, of Incline Village.

It was early March 2007 when Don Kanare was sitting in a line of cars waiting to turn left from the Mt. Rose Highway onto Tahoe Boulevard. It dawned on him that there had to be a better way to make the traffic flow smoothly through this intersection. 

He thought about how his cat, Spumoni, would run from room to room in a circle around the house, but if a door was closed, it was like a stop sign. Don thought if we had a roundabout that would fix the problem. 

It was this moment of inspiration that led to the creation of the Incline Village roundabout, which he affectionately calls Spumoni Circle and is known as The Gateway to Lake Tahoe.

Coincidentally, in early 2007, the community was engaged in the Incline Visioning Process, where residents could share their ideas and plans for the future. 

Kanare’s idea for the roundabout was initially supported by the Infrastructure Committee, consisting of Incline Village residents Gene Brockman, Bill Landry, and Jim Nowlin. 

After years of planning and hard work, the roundabout was constructed during the summer of 2012 as part of a major project by the Nevada Department of Transportation to improve roadways on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. 

The new roundabout immediately improved traffic flow, reduced air pollution by eliminating cars idling at the intersection, and created an aesthetically pleasing gateway for visitors and residents alike. 

It was also an ideal location for one of the largest outdoor public art displays in the state.

“It was an honor to be selected by the Incline Village Roundabout Committee out of many submissions to create a monumental entrance to Lake Tahoe,” said June Towill Brown.

“This long project turned out to be a labor of love for me, starting with studying the habitat of local animals that the committee wanted to be incorporated in the roundabout. The vision was to celebrate Lake Tahoe‘s natural surroundings for all to share. It warms my heart that the inspiration and meaning of this Gateway to Lake Tahoe will be honored and cherished by generations to come.”

The Gateway Committee, consisting of Jim Clark, Jim Nowlin, and Don Kanare, worked with the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation to raise funds to complete the project’s public art display. Together, with the help of Incline Village residents Lee Weber Koch and Janet Pahl, the group raised $110,000. F.W. Carson Co., a family-based and Incline Village business, donated all the rocks and boulders on which the bronze statues are mounted today.

Black Bear: Funded by The Jerry Stewart Family

In memory of Lois Stewart:  Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and community volunteer

Trout ~ within the Brown Bear Sculpture: Funded by Community Donations

Bobcat: Funded by Donald M. Kanare

In Memory of his cat, Spumoni, who provided the inspiration for the Roundabout

Mule Deer: Funded by the Ted Fuller Family

OTHER BRONZE STATUES:

Raccoon: Funded by Lynn & John Schiek

Squirrels: Funded by Harlan Braaten & the Margaret & Manny Sylvester Charitable Fund

Coyote: Funded by Community Donations

Stellar Jay:  Funded by Nancy & Wade Hampton and Laurie Sweeting 

In October 2012, a formal dedication ceremony was held to honor all the supporters of the Incline Village Roundabout project. 

Today, the Gateway to Lake Tahoe is a spectacular landmark that greets over three million people each year as they travel along the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, while providing a much safer and memorable entrance to one of the most beautiful places in the world – and where we are proud to call home.

Gateway Roundabout Improvements in 2026

Lefrancois Engineering has sent out RFPs to contractors to bid on the work to improve the roundabout. Although we are still working through the permits, the project seems to be on track to start work this spring. The improvements include safety features recommended by NDOT and upgraded landscaping supported by irrigation. Christine Karnofsky, Garden Designer, led the volunteer work of the Incline Village Main Street Design Team. The improvements will include iconic granite boulders, fir and aspen trees, along with a succession of perennials throughout the blooming season. The popular bronze animal sculptures by June Brown will be repositioned on the roundabout.

Gateway Roundabout Funding and Agency Partners

Private funds have been donated for the roundabout and other beautification projects through the Sierra Giving Circle. IVCBA partners with Incline Tahoe Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, to manage charitable donations. Thank you to all of the Sierra Giving Circle donors! Agency partners include Washoe County, NDOT, TRPA, and IVGID. Agencies have been very cooperative! Local funding partners include the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline and several prominent local philanthropists.

Incline Village Main Street Project Manager

Steve Blaney has been hired as a part-time subcontractor to manage Inclined to Bloom and other beautification projects. His work will help establish the feasibility of short-term projects, such as trails that improve walkability, and long-term projects, such as installing lamp posts along Tahoe Blvd. Main Street is exploring ways to extend the placemaking features planned for the roundabout to our “main street” through Incline Village. Steve’s business is Wildlife Mitigation Consultants. He brings knowledge and experience in urban planning and landscaping to the job. Funding for these projects comes through the Sierra Giving Circle at Incline Tahoe Foundation.

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2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Gateway Roundabout Improvements

● Established Design Team: Steve Porten, Christine Karnofsky, Dale Smith, and Larry Wodarski; utilized community input for initial design
● Hired Lefrancois Engineering as Project Manager
● LA studio completed landscape architecture drawings
● Successfully engaged agency partners
● Submitted preliminary plans to NDOT

Inclined to Bloom

● Hanging baskets in Village Center and Christmas Tree Village
● Railing planters and wooden planters in Raleys Incline Center
● Terra cotta pots at 3 bus shelters, watered by Rotary clubs

Community-driven Projects that promote Walkability

● Gathering Place below Crosby’s at Christmas Tree Village

Sierra Giving Circle partnership with Incline Tahoe Foundation

● Kick-off Roots to Revitalization Community Dinner in September
● Raised $230,000 for Beautification projects

Commercial Community Redevelopment Projects

● Hyatt Regency kicked off its project on the lakeside of the Hyatt property
● Revitalizing the Cal Neva is underway for its extensive remodel with plans to reopen in 2027

Gateway Roundabout Improvements

• Established Design Team: Steve Porten, Christine Karnofsky, Dale Smith and Larry Wodarski; utilized community input for initial design
• Hired Lefrancois Engineering as Project Manager
•  LA studio completed landscape architecture drawings
• Successfully engaged agency partners
• Submitted preliminary plans to NDOT

Inclined to Bloom

Pots and Plants

• Hanging baskets in Village Center and Christmas Tree Village
• Railing planters and wooden planters in Raleys Incline Center
• Terra cotta pots at 3 bus shelters, watered by Rotary club

Dancing with Daffodils

*     Community planted 7,000 daffodil bulbs in high-visibility locations

Community-driven Projects that promote Walkability

• Gathering Place below Crosby’s at Christmas Tree Village 

Sierra Giving Circle partnership with Incline Tahoe Foundation

• Kick-off Roots to Revitalization Community Dinner in September
• Raised $230,000 for Beautification projects

2026 Plans:

STRATEGIC GOALS

• Create a visually appealing town center (placemaking)
• Revitalize commercial core
• Align community around a common goal(beautification)

TRANSFORMATIVE STRATEGY: BEAUTIFICATION

2025 was a pivotal year for Main Street. The Gateway Roundabout project with aesthetic and safety improvements got underway, under the direction of Lefrancois Engineering and the Main Street design team.  Inclined to Bloom pots and hanging baskets were installed. A Gathering Place was built below Crosby’s at Christmas Tree village driven by the center with a grant from Main Street. The Sierra Giving Circle was established with partner Incline Tahoe Foundation. $230,000 in private donations has been obtained for beautification projects.

GATEWAY ROUNDABOUT IMPROVEMENTS: 2026 COMPLETION ANTICIPATED

• Reflect natural beauty with boulders and trees
• Improve safety by making it more visible
• Improve esthetics with irrigation and perennials
• Reposition bronze animal sculptures 

INCLINED TO BLOOM

• Expand successful hanging baskets and terra cotta pots 
• Increase bulbs planted for Dancing with Daffodils
• Carry placemaking them from roundabout to Tahoe Blvd.

COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROJECTS THAT ENCOURAGE WALKABILITY

• Consider trail improvement projects to increase walkability
• Encourage Christmas Tree Village to expand easement improvements
• Explore feasibility of bike racks in strategic locations
• Other bike signage and safety projects under consideration

COMMUNITY DÉCOR 

• 4^TH of July
• Scarecrows at bus shelters and throughout town
• Holiday lighting

SIERRA GIVING CIRCLE

• Charitable donations  for beautification projects 
• Partner is  Incline Tahoe Foundation
• Raise additional funds for roundabout and other beautification projects

MAIN STREET PROJECT MANAGER

• Hire Steve Blaney to help research and organize community projects

Below are events we received which might be of interest to you.   We are seeking community members who would be able to attend the Fire Adapted Community Conference on February 23/24.  (See the link below)

1. Learn more about how to access contact details for homeowners, by reviewing this information sheethttps://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Mailing-Addresses-Infosheet.pdfand/or attend one of our scheduled Assessor Information Webinars on Monday, Feb 9^th between 10-12pm. 
2. Check out our recent landscaping presentation with UCCE Master Gardeners and North Tahoe Fire- How to Select Appropriate Plants for Fire Adapted Landscapinghttps://youtu.be/Q0dlYzZeiSE?si=2hs2nUSnSjfRAu5t
3. Sign up for the 2026 Fire Adapted Nevada Conference on Feb 23^rd and 24th https://www.livingwithfire.org/etn/fire-adapted-nevada-summit/

Role of the IVCBA board relative to Incline Village Main Street 

• Provides legal entity, administrative tasks, and paid leadership (2026)
• Final approval of all projects
• Representation on the Executive Team and projects 

Incline Village Main Street Committee strategic priorities:

• Revitalization
• Civic engagement

Goals:

• Revitalize commercial core
• Create a visually appealing town image
• Align the community around a common goal

Components of Incline Village Main Street

• Executive Team
• Project leads 
• Stakeholders
• Agency liaisons

EXECUTIVE TEAM: Project leads and IVCBA Executive Committee

Tasks:

• Initiate new projects
• Review community-driven projects
• Funding
• Grant distribution
• Chair: Linda Offerdahl, staff
• IVCBA Exec committee(Mike, Sheila, Jason)
• Partner/ITF rep:  Dolores Holets
• Gateway Roundabout Improvements:Steve Porten 
• Inclined to Bloom: Christine Karnofsky
• Public art: no lead identified
• Stakeholders

Agency Liaisons

• Washoe County: Asst Mgr Dave Solaro/Eric Crump/Commission Chair Hill
• NDOT: John L’Etoile
• IVGID: GM Bob Harrison/Board Chair Tonking and Engineering Director Kate Nelson
• TRPA:

STANDING COMMITTEES/PROJECT LEADS

Gateway Roundabout improvements

• Linda Offerdahl, staff
• Steve Porten
• Christine Karnofsky
• Dale Smith
• Larry Wodarski
• Jason Jurss
• IVCBA: Mike Young
• Mike Lefrancois, Civil Engineering

Inclined to Bloom (pots and plants, daffodils)

• Linda Offerdahl, staff
• Christine Karnofsky
• Christine Schoenthaler(ITF)
• Larry Wodarski
• Jason Jurss
• Noon Rotary Club: Lu Sweeny
• Morning Rotary club: Bryan Foertsch, Chris Slowinski, Harlan Rodriguez, Robert/Debbie Esser, Kay Lehr

Public Art Committee  (no lead person identified yet)

Goal: Establish placemaking symbols and guidelines for public art and research opportunities like the Incline Library Art: teddy bear, and roundabout bronzes

• Joe Atack (possible chair)
• Rick Parsons, UNRLT
• Sara Smith,Jacquie Chandler, David Colley, Amanda McPhaill, Marty Gollery, 

Community-driven beautification projects:

• Holiday lighting: Linda, Sheila(community tree) 
• Gathering Place at Christmas Tree Village: Russell Jones/Tony Robinson
• Seasonal decor such as scarecrows, snowmen, and town mascot bears?
  • Bus shelters: Sheila Leijon
• Incline Library: Outdoor education and trail (on hold): Amanda McPhaill
• Future projects approved by the Executive Committee

Sierra Giving Circle through Incline Tahoe Foundation (partner MOU)

Goal: Raise funds through events and grants for Beautification projects

Roots to Revitalization Dinner Team:  Linda Offerdahl, Sheila Leijon, Dolores Holets, Julene Hunter, Denise Menzies, and Simi Balter.

Community Stakeholders:

• Washoe County: Alexis Hill and Dave Solaro
• IVGID: Bob Harrison, Kate Nelson, 
• WCSO? Captain Cola
• NLTFPD: Chief Sommers or representative
• IVCHF: Louis Ward/Karli Bunnell 
• NDOT: John L’Toile
• TNTNV: Andy Chapman/Greg Long
• Casino resorts
• Steve Tomkovicz, Incline Bowl
• Greg Flanders(business and property owner, developer )
• Gary Kasden (property owner)
• Tim Kane(Canopy property manager)
• Hoskins Landscape contractor and Jamie Lima
• Tony Robinson
• Russell Jones
• Scott Dutcher
• Elise Fett
• Millie and John Szerman
• Jeff Rosenbloom
• Steve and Maren Ross (IV Enhancement Fund)
• Steve Blaney(business owner, Incliner??)
• Service clubs: Rotary/AAUW/Vets club: current president
• Numerous local residents

IVCBA is asking businesses and residents to help us cover Incline Village and Crystal Bay next spring with daffodils by planting bulbs this fall. It is part of Inclined to Bloom, the project that brought hanging flower baskets and terra cotta pots to Incline commercial areas last summer. IVCBA will supply FREE BULBS to participating businesses and landscapers. 

“Our community deserves a revitalized look that reflects the natural beauty of our environment….Together we create a thriving community that benefits everyone.” Linda Offerdahl, Executive Director

Dancing with daffodils is what we will be doing next spring if we ALL plant bulbs this fall!  This is a pilot project, a grassroots campaign to beautify Incline in the spring. Daffodils are the first flower (yellow) to peak out through the snow in April/May and are hardy enough to survive an unexpected snowstorm. Once the bulbs are planted, the flowers come back every year. And they multiply!  Any business, group, or individuals willing to plant bulbs, reach out to Linda@IVCBA.org to receive free bulbs.

Inclined to Bloom and Dancing with Daffodils are part of the Incline Village Main Street Beautification campaign. Beautification supports IVCBA’s mission of “building cohesiveness for the sustainability of Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Its vision is a “thriving community that supports and is supported by its agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and residents.”

Other beautification projects include Gateway Roundabout Improvements and Community-driven projects such as the “gathering place” below Crosbys at Christmas Tree Village. Businesses are encouraged to start their own projects that encourage walkability. Grants are available through Incline Village Main Street.  Northern Lights holiday lighting is another IVCBA/Main Street beautification project.

The Sierra Giving Circle was established to help fund beautification projects. IVCBA partners with Incline Tahoe Foundation to accept charitable donations specifically for beautification.

To join the Sierra Giving Circle and for more information, go to https://ivcba.org/programs/incline-village-main-street/

Checks may be made out to Incline Tahoe Foundation and sent to  948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451. Charitable donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law through our partner, Incline Tahoe Foundation, EIN 27-0823168. 

About:

Incline Village Main Street is a revitalization and redevelopment program affiliated with Main Street Nevada as well as Main Street America. Its strategic priorities are economic vitality, civic engagement, and community initiatives. It is organized under the auspices of the IVCBA community and business association. Find more information at https://ivcba.org/programs/incline-village-main-street/.