April 10 Daily Briefing: More public scrutiny for bridge project, art installations explained, and more

Happy Thursday, everyone, where we’d like to give a special shout-out to this two-person team that a member of our two-person team ran into at Starbucks yesterday. Officer Joshua Crocker and behavioral health specialist Rita Romero form the Community Behavioral Assessment Team (CBAT), which responds to people experiencing mental health crises in the city. Since hitting the streets in February, the duo said they’ve been very busy, but what we found most encouraging is that their work is not only helping people experiencing a crisis but also their fellow first responders. Both police and fire personnel often come to the aid of the same people multiple times a day, and that can be both exhausting and heartbreaking. The extra layer of assistance that the CBAT team provides is a welcome relief. We’ll provide a detailed update on their progress at a later date.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Sofia” by Clairo

LEADING OFF

Bridge project delayed after environmental concerns voiced

The Palm Springs City Council voted Wednesday evening to postpone a decision on the South Palm Canyon Drive low water crossing bridge replacement for 60 days after more than a dozen residents spoke out against the project. 

Zoom in: The $9-10 million project, in development since 2006, would provide flood protection at a crossing that has repeatedly closed during storms, cutting off access to about 700 homes.

• The crossing can see runoff of up to 1.3 million gallons per minute during a 100-year storm event.

Why it matters: Councilmembers learned that emergency services responded to approximately 590 calls in the affected neighborhood over the past year, raising significant concerns about access during flooding events.

At issue: Environmental advocates, many from Oswit Land Trust, which owns land that would be under the bridge, argued that flooding at the site is rare and environmental impacts would be significant.

• Critics also argued that the California Environmental Quality Act report completed in 2012 is outdated given recent conservation efforts in the area.

Yes, but: “This is a human safety issue. This is a life safety issue,” said Karen Miller, an Andreas Palms resident during a public comment period at the start of the meeting.

By the numbers: The project will be funded primarily through $4.5 million in federal Highway Bridge Program funds, with the city supplying about $2 million and asking CalTrans to cover the remainder.

What’s at stake: If construction doesn’t begin by December 2026, the city risks losing reimbursement, and if funds aren’t spent by 2028, the funding would be withdrawn entirely.

Next steps: The council directed staff to hold both in-person and virtual community meetings to gather more input before making a final decision in 60 days.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

🏙️ Planning Commission to expand with non-voting role

The Palm Springs City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday evening that allows for expansion of the city’s Planning Commission from seven to eight members, adding a non-voting position designed to provide experience for potential future commissioners.

• The eighth member will participate in discussions but cannot vote or count toward quorum requirements. The position aims to diversify commission membership by creating a pathway for individuals without technical planning experience.
  
• The initiative stems from a June 2024 discussion where councilmembers recognized the need for more diverse representation on the technically specialized commission.
  
• Bottom line: The Council agreed to limit the non-voting position to a single three-year term, with the expectation that qualified individuals would eventually move into voting roles, at which point their term limits would reset.

🏛️ City hosting free architectural symposium

Consider this your reminder that the City of Palm Springs and its Historic Site Preservation Board are presenting the 10th annual Preservation Matters Symposium focusing on Desert Modernism at the Convention Center on April 26.

•  The free public event will feature scholars and practitioners discussing the history and development of Palm Springs’ mid-century architecture. It runs from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
  
• Following the presentations, attendees can participate in a book signing of “The Palm Springs School: Desert Modernism 1934-1975” and join a free reception to interact with speakers and participants. The symposium will also include HSPB awards recognizing significant contributions to local historic preservation.
  
• Bottom line: Registration is now open for the event and spots are filling fast. For more information and to register, head to this website.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Building and Safety Department Industry Collaboration Session
5 p.m. | City Hall
The Building and Safety Department is looking for input on topics like the permitting software, inspection procedures, fee schedule, and other possible changes to the its processes and procedures.

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. 

Coachella Rising Showcase
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Tonight features LT Cousineau with Kim Schroeder Long + Chip Prince. ($20)

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
Weather permitting, the street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food until 10 p.m.

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• The 70s Show starts Friday at the Cultural Center. ($25)
  
• World Art Day at the Downtown Park on Saturday.
  
• Movies in the Park: “The Love Bug” at Downtown Park on April 15.
  
• GPSR Spring Fling Auction at Mizell Center on April 16.
  
• Coachella Valley Local Government Vendor Fair at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 16.
  
• Movie Night in the Park: “The Wild Robot” at DeMuth Park on April 16.
  
• “Falsettos” at Dezart Performs starting April 18. ($53)
  
• “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at Palm Canyon Theatre starting April 18. ($32)
  
• Self-Advocacy in Healthcare Conference at the Mizell Center on April 19.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting May 8. ($17)

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs art installations may seem simple to the public, but behind the scenes, they’re navigating the same building codes as any other structure in the city (and face the same delays). 

Driving the news: Dana MacAllister, Palm Springs’ building and safety director, gave members of the city’s Public Arts Commission a friendly crash course recently on why these requirements exist, explaining that art installations – like buildings – need proper permits because they could topple over and hurt someone if not installed correctly.

• The city’s electronic permitting system also expects installers to be licensed contractors, which most artists aren’t.

Looking back: Commission Chair Gary Armstrong recalled simpler times when artists would pull up in the middle of the night with artwork in a station wagon and “just sort of put it on the pad and drive off.”

• MacAllister offered a similar, clever workaround that could save everyone headaches: Art placed on movable metal plates instead of permanent foundations might be able to skip the permitting process altogether.

What’s next: The city is stepping up to build foundations with its contractors, and the Commission is looking at preparing foundation pads well before artworks are selected. Both moves should speed things along.