April 16 Daily Briefing: Bridge issues to be addressed, Dream Hotel discussed, prepare for shredding, and more

Happy Tuesday, where we’ve got veggies on our minds! If you weren’t aware, this week is dedicated to considering the benefits of switching to a plant-based diet. The Palm Springs City Council even declared it “VegWeek” during its last meeting, delivering a proclamation to longtime resident Tiffani LoBue, who asked the city to recognize the week. “I’ve been a full-time PS resident for 27 years – and have lived a vegan lifestyle since 2002,” LoBue wrote to us yesterday. “Tanya Petrovna from Chef Tanya’s Kitchen was a big part of my transition. I continue to learn more about a plant-based diet each day.” 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Make Me Feel” by Janelle Monáe

LEADING OFF

Council vote helps South Palm Canyon Drive bridge project move forward

Plans to replace a crucial bridge on South Palm Canyon Drive are moving along after the Palm Springs City Council approved funding for the project’s next steps last week.

Driving the news: Councilmembers voted unanimously on April 11 to approve more funding for civil engineering services and authorized staff to begin soliciting bids to replace the South Palm Canyon Drive Bridge spanning the Tahquitz Creek Channel.

• The existing bridge, originally constructed in 1930, was inspected in 2009 and found “structurally deficient.”

What that means: Structurally deficient, in this case, does not mean the bridge is unsafe. It is currently safe and structurally sound, but because certain redundancies are inadequate or deficient, the bridge is given the “structurally deficient” classification, qualifying it for federal funding.

Why it matters: Because the project’s construction documents were only approved last month, and certain easements expire in June, city staff needed the City Council to approve additional civil engineering services to keep the project moving.

By the numbers: The project is fully funded, with Caltrans funding about 89% of the project, the remainder of which is covered by regional and local funding. However, once construction companies return with their bids for the project, city staff may have to ask Caltrans for more funding if costs outstrip the current budget.

What they’re saying: Councilmember Lisa Middleton spoke up during the meeting to advocate for the project, which is in her district, saying, “This is a lengthy project that will substantially disrupt traffic for some period of time. We should ensure that we have some significant amount of neighborhood and business outreach.”

In context: Joel Montalvo, the city engineer, noted that the department is doing its best to stagger the multiple major construction projects in the works to avoid engulfing the entire city in traffic. Right now, portions of Indian Canyon Drive and Ramon Road are under construction.

What we can expect: Once the project gets under construction, Montalvo estimates it should take less than two years to complete.

Next steps: The city will formally solicit construction bids, evaluate the bids, and bring back a candidate for councilmembers to vote on sometime in June before construction can begin.

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BRIEFLY

🏗️ Commission gives Dream Hotel plans close scrutiny

Some of the work on the long-delayed Dream Hotel, located at the northwest corner of Avenida Caballeros and Amado Road, will have to wait a little longer after the Architectural Review Commission on Monday decided against approving the project’s final architectural and design and landscape plans.

• The City Council already approved the project’s site plan and hotel and development standards last year, then passed the project off to the Architectural Review Commission for final approval.
  
  
• City staff and commissioners wanted more detailed plans related to the hotel and condo’s service building, plant selections, materials, solar energy, and other areas of concern before they would vote to approve the project.
  
  
• One member of the public, who lives near the site, told commissioners he and his neighbors have been keeping a close eye on the project, saying, “For the most part, we’re exceptionally pleased with what was presented to you” before complimenting the developers for the work to lower building heights and preserve sightlines.
  
  
• What to watch for: There was no timeline set for the developer, but city staff estimated the developer could return with revised plans in “a couple of weeks.”

📜 Documents show how reparations discussions intensified

Correspondence released by the city on Monday — available for viewing here — reveals a sharp debate over reparations for the city’s role in the destruction of property in the predominantly minority neighborhood of Section 14 in the 1960s.

• In an exchange of letters, attorney Areva Martin, representing former Section 14 residents and their descendants, criticized the city for disregarding a Human Rights Commission report that highlighted alleged past city wrongdoings as she called for quick financial compensation. 
  
  
• However, City Attorney Jeffrey Ballinger asked for a measured approach that considered the broader implications for the city’s budget and legal precedents, emphasizing a methodical and inclusive process to determine the scope and scale of reparations.
  
  
• Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Meditation & Mindfulness: Breaking Free
3 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
The library’s Meditation & Mindfulness series presents “Breaking Free from Anxiety: Discovering Inner Peace and Resilience,” presented by Lisa Botts. She will focus on the roles of emotions and how they contribute to anxiety. 

Sustainability Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
This month, according to the agenda, commissions will hear a presentation about preventing birds from striking windows and discuss the city’s ban on leaf blowers.

Drag Story Hour
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Join Bella da Ball in the Youth Room for stories, crafting, a dance party, and fun for the whole family.

Queer Colon Care Collective
6 p.m. | The Center – LGBTQ – Community Center of the Desert
This new support group is open to LGBTQ+ colorectal cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. Organizers will offer resources and a sense of community in a safe place to share experiences. Offered on the first and third Tuesday of every month in-person at the center or online at 4 p.m.

Movies in the Park: “E.T. The Extra-Terresrtrial”
7 p.m. | Downtown Park
Steven Spielberg’s classic 1982 movie “E.T.” hits the outdoor screen in this latest installment of the city’s Movies in the Park series. Check out the rest of the throwback movies coming up in the next few months, including “The Sandlot” and “Jurassic Park.”

SAVE THE DATE

• Drive the Plaza Theatre into the Future on Friday at the Prescott Collection Hangar.
  
  
• Free Shredding Event at Palm Springs City Hall on Saturday.
  
  
• Coachella Acappella performs at Palm Desert High School on Saturday.
  
  
• Dine out For Life at multiple restaurants and other eateries on April 25.
  
  
• Palm Springs Entertainment Convention on May 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
  
• Desert Winds Freedom Band Concert on May 4 at Temple Isaiah.
  
  
• PSUSD Multicultural Festival on May 4 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
  
  
• Palm Springs International ShortFest from June 18 -24.

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AND FINALLY …

There’s another huge event happening this weekend that we know everyone is excited about. No, it’s not Coachella Weekend 2 — it’s the city’s free shredding event! Here’s what you need to know:

Driving the news: The wait is over, and the city has partnered with the Palm Springs Disposal Services to bring the free shredding event to all Palm Springs residents this Saturday.

Yes, but: If you can’t make it this Saturday, stop by City Hall any day this week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. because the city is allowing you to drop off documents for shredding in a secured bin. The city said the box will be monitored at all times.

Here’s what you can bring:

• Legal documents
• Medical records
• Financial statements
• Band statements
• Payroll records
• Contracts

What you can’t bring:

• Batteries
• Swimming pool chemicals
• Paints
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Pesticides
• Other hazardous waste

Keep in mind: You don’t have to remove clips, staples, or envelopes, and the limit for each resident is three banker-sized boxes. They will also be accepting e-waste and bulky items.

Details: The event will be at City Hall on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you have any questions, email recycling@palmspringsca.gov