April 24 Daily Briefing: Latest effort to push downtown project forward, graffiti bust, and more

Welcome to Thursday, everyone! Last year, we told you about a unique program sponsored by The New York Times that offered select local journalists a chance to conduct in-depth investigative reporting with the results reported in both The Times and their local outlets. The Desert Sun’s investigative reporter, Christopher Damien, was selected for the program and dived in to report on what was behind high death rates in Riverside County jails. Among other things, his exhaustive research revealed recurring security failures by inexperienced staff. If you haven’t read the story, we highly suggest doing so. As of this morning, it was still free to read here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Need You Again” by Neal Francis, Say She She

LEADING OFF

Yet another agreement for Orchid Tree Hotel project granted by city leaders

The Palm Springs City Council approved a new agreement for the long-stalled Orchid Tree Hotel development Wednesday evening, implementing beautification requirements and a revised timeline for a property that has sat vacant for 17 years at West Baristo and South Belardo roads.

Driving the news: The council’s vote on a hotel operations covenant agreement aims to finally move the project forward while addressing immediate neighborhood concerns about the 3.6-acre site’s deteriorating condition.

• Citing problems with trash, graffiti, and red ant infestations, residents described the property as an “eyesore” suffering from “demolition by neglect.”

By the numbers: The new agreement includes a 75% rebate of transient occupancy taxes for 30 years or until $50 million is rebated, whichever comes first.

• New plans for the property include a luxury development with 72 hotel rooms, 16 residential condominiums, spa facilities, a pool, and an outdoor café and bar.

The risk: While some neighbors welcomed the development, several expressed skepticism that the new agreement would yield results, and wanted a financial guarantee such as a $1 to $2 million deposit if key milestones aren’t met.

The response: Developer Richard Weintraub rejected the idea of a deposit, but agreed to other requirements including immediate site improvements and a performance bond equal to the full construction cost, which must be posted before building permits are issued.

Dive deeper: The beautification plan must be submitted within 10 days and implemented within 30 days, including planting 12 to 15 mature trees and enhancing the property’s perimeter along with security and graffiti removal requirements.

What’s next: The developer must submit a planning application by Aug. 23 and have 50% complete construction drawings within five months of receiving entitlements, with project completion required by the end of 2027.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

🚓 Five arrested in graffiti crew takedown

Palm Springs police arrested five members of a tagging crew following a coordinated search warrant operation at multiple Desert Hot Springs locations Wednesday morning. The suspects were allegedly responsible for over 20 tagging incidents causing more than $10,000 in property damage throughout Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

• The operation stemmed from a year-long investigation led by a Palm Springs Police Department detective, with support from patrol officers, drone operators, community service officers and regional partners.
  
• During searches, police recovered five firearms, including two stolen guns and an assault rifle, along with various graffiti tools.
  
• Bottom line: Authorities identified and arrested five suspects ranging from age 20 to 34. All were booked into jail in Indio. The suspects face multiple felony and misdemeanor vandalism charges, conspiracy charges, and weapons-related violations.

🚧 Wind wall project funding passes as expected

The Palm Springs City Council on Wednesday voted to award a $2.2 million construction contract for a wind wall project aimed at resolving persistent road closures on Gene Autry Trail caused by high winds and sand accumulation.

• When completed, the 14.5-foot concrete wall will replace an existing temporary wooden barrier along North Gene Autry Trail between the railroad bridge near Interstate 10 and East Via Escuela.
  
• Bottom line: City officials approved the plans in February. Construction is expected to take approximately six months.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Dining Out For Life
All Day | Multiple Restaurants
Proceeds go to benefit DAP Health. More than 50 restaurants are participating in Palm Springs alone. Check out a list here.

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. 

Zone Palm Springs Community Meeting
5:30 p.m. | Online
Join city representatives for a meeting to learn about Zone Palm Springs – the city’s first comprehensive update to its zoning code since 1988. Share your priorities for the future of the city on issues like housing, parks and open space, and more. Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/ZonePS

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

“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” interactive movie screening
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Hold your golden tickets…this isn’t just a movie, it’s an interactive screening complete with audience participation, singing, a costume contest, and cocktail party. Cocktail party starts at 6 p.m. Screening begins at 8 p.m. ($20)

PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
“Disney Pride in Concert” is a collection of iconic songs from nostalgic Disney films like “Peter Pan,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” and “Mary Poppins.” Performances run through Sunday. (Starting at $35)

“Other Desert Cities”
7 p.m. | Coachella Valley Repertory
In this Pulitzer Prize finalist play, a young lady arrives at her parents’ Palm Springs manor and uncovers a devastating family secret. Performances run through May 4. Opening night tickets are $110. Other nights are $80.

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
7 p.m. | Palm Canyon Theatre
This stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s celebrated novel explores the brutality of life in a mental institution with humor, candor, and unforgettable characters. Performances run through Sunday. ($32)

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Earth & Arbor Day Festival at Victoria Park on Saturday.
  
• Forging Forward – Community Convening at the Cultural Center on April 29.
  
• “A Song For You” Carpenters Tribute at Agua Caliente Palm Springs on April 30. ($23)
  
• Retro Palm Springs – A Nostalgic Fan Convention at Palm Springs Convention Center on May 3-4. ($28)
  
• Desert Winds Freedom Band presents “Pop, Rock, and Swing” at Jewish Community Center on May 4. ($30)
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting May 8. ($17)
  
• Desert Images photography exhibition at Impell Gallery on May 10. 
  
• CommUNITY in Recovery – Sunny Dunes Clubhouse 3rd Annual Spring Gala at Palm Springs Convention Center. ($150).

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

It’s always nice to treat yourself, right? Well, how about treating yourself and helping someone get the treatment they need?

Driving the news: DAP Health is teaming up with restaurants across the Coachella Valley for Dining Out for Life 2025, a national fundraising event that has raised nearly $100 million for people living with HIV.

• Today, some of your favorite restaurants, bars, and coffee shops will be donating part of their sales to the cause.

How it works: Participating locations will generously donate anywhere from 30% to 110% of the day’s sales, not just profits, to DAP Health. Every dollar raised here, stays here to help locals.

By the numbers: Last year, Palm Springs was one of the country’s top performing cities, raising over $270,000 and outpacing cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.

Why it matters: Those funds help support life-saving programs and services that valley locals depend on.

What they’re saying: “Few other events bring DAP Health closer to our tap root of community action,” DAP Health CEO David Brinkman says. “DAP Health was founded on unconditional love and guided by community members who defined and funded solutions to help those in need.”

Dive deeper: A full list of participating businesses can be found here.