Maswik Lodge, South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park/Xanterra Parks & Resorts

A substantial redevelopment project is being eyed at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, one that would replace the aged Maswik South lodging complex and realign roads, parking, and sidewalks.

Maswik South was built back in 1971, and the six motel-style lodgings there have exceeded their "expected useful life of 40 years," the park said in a release. Under the proposal up for public comment, those buildings with 90 guest rooms would be replaced with as many as five buildings with up to 120 rooms, the release added. The new buildings would be placed within the existing site footprint, according to the release. Some of the rooms would have kitchenettes under the proposal.

Other existing infrastructure at Maswik South, such as sidewalks and roads, is also aging, in poor condition, or not compliant with current laws, codes and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Additionally, the configuration of the Maswik South site contributes to poor traffic circulation and conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.

Along with the lodging improvements, the Park Service is proposing to construct two sections of road (approximately a half-mile in length combined) in the vicinity of Maswik South to provide an alternate route from Grand Canyon Village to Rowe Well Road and reduce traffic at Maswik South.

Xanterra South Rim, LLC. currently operates the Maswik South under a concession contract with the park and would complete this project under the terms of that contract.

Additional information, including a newsletter on the specifics of the proposed action is available on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website. A public scoping open house is scheduled for:

Wednesday, July 18
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Shrine of the Ages Auditorium
20 South Entrance Road
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Public comments on the proposal will be accepted through July 27. During this time, any individual or group can submit scoping comments electronically on the PEPC website, in person at public scoping open house events, or via mail to Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, Attn: Maswik South EA, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023.

Comments that provide insights about the project purpose and the park's current proposal are particularly helpful, and new ideas and proposals are welcome. Following the public comment period, the NPS will analyze and consider all feedback and begin preparation of the EA.

The NPS will not select an alternative for implementation until after the analysis of the alternatives and their potential impacts has been completed within the environmental assessment examining the proposed project. There will be a second opportunity for public comment on the EA in fall/winter 2018.