Makeover under way for Cal Neva

RENO — A Lake Tahoe resort once owned by Frank Sinatra and frequented by his Rat Pack buddies is about to undergo a major makeover.

The Cal Neva hotel-casino straddling the California-Nevada line will be closed for more than a year, effective Monday, to allow for the multimillion-dollar project.

Criswell-Radovan co-owner Robert Radovan says the 219-room, 10-story hotel and 6,000-square-foot casino will be upgraded in an effort to revive the struggling property. His Napa Valley, Calif.-based development company acquired the Cal Neva in April.

During its heyday from 1960 to 1963, the resort was owned by Sinatra and drew fellow Rat Pack members Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford.

Owners hope to reopen the Cal Neva on Dec. 12, 2014, which would have been Sinatra’s 99th birthday.