New offer made to operate Tahoe estate

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., and Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., toured the former Dreyfus estate Thursday and urged negotiators to resolve the future of the mansion as quickly as possible.

"Let's see if we can't get these negotiations consummated," Bryan said. "Let's move on."

The estate was part of a $38 million land swap that gave public land in southern Nevada to a developer in exchange for the 46-acre Zephyr Cove property.

The land itself went to the U.S. Forest Service, but the buildings, including the mansion once owned by New York tycoon Jack Dreyfus, was sold to Park Cattle Co.

Park Cattle had planned to run a business at the site. The company's previous plan called for a bed and breakfast and conference facility, but the Forest Service has not issued the necessary permits.

A lawyer for Park Cattle said a new proposal has been submitted, though he would not divulge details.

"We think we can work something out that is good for the Forest Service, good for Park Cattle and good for the public at large," said Gordon DePaoli, an attorney for Park Cattle.

Patricia Romeiro, land acquisition chief for the Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Region, said the agency should make a decision soon on the latest proposal.

"We'll act on it as quickly as we can," she said. "It's the best thing to do for both parties."

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