Sept. 23 Daily Briefing: PSP rental garage, environmental forum, big gift for The Center, and more

Welcome to Monday! Unlike traditional media, our small and innovative team leverages technology to more efficiently deliver news to our community. We’ve told you about the AI tool co-created by our founder (more on that here) that we use, and recently we ventured into new territory by launching our first podcast, The PS Pod, which also utilizes AI, and is designed to offer a deeper analysis of the day’s news featured in this newsletter. So far, the results are pretty mind-blowing and initial feedback has been positive. We invite you to give it a listen here and let us know your thoughts. For now, it’s only an experiment. But if the feedback remains positive, we’ll keep it around as long as Mark can keep the code working.

🎶 Setting the mood: “No, Not Much” by Veronica Swift

LEADING OFF

Airport Commission advances rental car facility plans

The Palm Springs Airport Commission has voted to recommend a south-side rental car facility plan to the City Council, alongside a previously discussed north option. This marks a significant step in the airport’s expansion efforts.

Driving the news: Commissioners last week chose south side Alternative 2, a five-story structure to be built perpendicular to Kirk Douglas Way, cutting between two existing parking lots.

• The plan includes a shuttle service to transport passengers between the terminal and the new facility.

Why it matters: The proposed facility aims to improve airport operations and enhance customer experience by separating drop-off and pick-up areas, potentially reducing congestion.

The challenges: The chosen plan requires acquiring adjacent property, estimated to cost around $9 million.

• In addition, some community members have expressed objections to locating the new rental car facility south of the airport.

What’s next: The commission’s recommendations will go to the City Council for further consideration and potential approval, addressing both traffic and visual impacts.

• Detailed traffic impact studies will also be conducted for both north and south side options, along with visual impact renderings.

Looking ahead: A public open house on the project is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 7.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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IN OTHER NEWS

✍️ Palm Springs City Councilmember Christy Holstege released a statement online last week defending herself at length against accusations she doesn’t live in her district. [Medium]

🌎 Representatives from three Coachella Valley cities, including Palm Springs, outlined their approaches to environmental health and sustainability during a panel discussion Saturday. [Palm Springs Post]

🏈 Palm Springs High School scored a season-best 32 points in a 32-14 win over Yucaipa. The win brought the Indians season record to 3-2. [Max Preps]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

CalComMen’s Monday Coffee
5 p.m. | Play Lounge & Cafe
Join us for coffee, chat & chew! Drop in…no RSVPs. Play Lounge & Cafe has a drink and snack Happy Hour menu! See old friends, make new ones.

Bike Lanes Community Meeting
5:30 p.m. | James O. Jessie Community Center
The city of Palm Springs plans to install bike lanes on two miles of South Palm Canyon Road and three miles of Racquet Club Road. The final session takes place tonight starting at 5:30 p.m. and will address the bike lanes on Racquet Club Road.

Parks and Recreation Commission
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs City Hall
The Commission typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. It functions in an advisory capacity to the City Council.

PALS Circle
6 p.m. | Zoom
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors) Circle is an informal weekly Zoom drop-in for connection and support. There is no agenda, no topic – like getting together with friends every week. Reach out to the organizer at this email address for Zoom instructions.

Fabulous Bingo
7 p.m. | Kings Highway at Ace Hotel
Enjoy a night of fabulous bingo hosted by Bella Da Ball.

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Police Department open house on Saturday.
  
  
• Boo2Bullying Wellness Festival at Palm Springs Stadium on Saturday. 
  
  
• City Council Candidate Forum at Demuth Community Center on Oct. 5.
  
  
• One Night Out Rio benefiting The Foundation for PSUSD on Oct. 5.
  
  
• Evening Under The Stars benefit for AAP – Food Samaritans on Oct. 13.
  
  
• Center Stage benefiting LQBTQ+ Center of the Desert on Oct. 19.
  
  
• Pride on the Page Book Festival on Oct. 20.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks first speaker on Oct. 22.

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AND FINALLY …

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert is growing its footprint and services in Palm Springs thanks to a donation of over 33,000 square feet of land from Arnie Kassoy that will allow the Center to create a new campus and expand its operations.

Driving the news: The newly acquired property, located across from the Center’s current building, will become the Arnold Kassoy Campus of The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

• The land has frontage on both Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drives.

Why it matters: This expansion enables the Center to enhance existing programs and serve more beneficiaries in the Coachella Valley.

• The Center offers a wide range of services, including a behavioral health clinic and a community food bank.

What they’re saying: “Arnie’s visionary gift guarantees our LGBTQ+ desert community will continue connecting to the people and resources needed to thrive for years to come,” said Mike Thompson, CEO of The Center.

Bottom line: Specific plans for the new campus have not been announced, but possibilities include new facilities such as meeting rooms, event spaces, or specialized clinics.