August 29 Daily Briefing: Residents invited to talk parking, construction planned on Sunrise, and more

Welcome to Thursday, and to what will be our last newsletter until next Tuesday. We’re taking Friday and Monday off so that our entire staff (which is just Mark at the moment 🙂) can catch a little breather and observe a proper long weekend. Note that City Hall is closed on Monday, as are post offices, banks, schools, etc. Also, garbage service will be delayed one day next week. We hope you have a great Labor Day and will see you bright and early on Sept. 3!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra (Mark’s very favorite song)

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LEADING OFF

City to address downtown parking with September meetings

While city leaders have been busy dispelling rumors that paid parking is coming to Downtown Palm Springs, they still know there’s work to be done on improvements. That work gets started next month with a series of public meetings.

Driving the news: Four community meetings are scheduled for September to address downtown parking concerns. Business owners, employees, and interested residents are invited to participate in four sessions, including both in-person and virtual options.

At issue: Local shoppers, visitors, and employees who work at downtown businesses often run into issues with lack of street parking, and the city has found it difficult to call attention to the fact parking exists both underground and off the two main streets.

• The latest initiative to address the issues provides an opportunity for local stakeholders to voice their opinions and contribute to potential solutions for downtown parking challenges

Details: The meetings include two virtual sessions via Zoom and two in-person gatherings at Palm Springs City Council Chambers.

• Virtual meetings are set for Monday, Sept. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Find the Zoom link and meeting ID here.
• In-person meetings will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, with sessions in the morning (7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) and late afternoon (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.).

Looking back: Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein addressed the issue of paid parking earlier this month, stating emphatically that metered parking is not in the works. One issue he said will need addressing is the city’s lack of a “reparking” ordinance.

• Reparking happens when owners simply move their vehicles to another parking spot a short distance away to avoid time limits.

IN OTHER NEWS

🫨 A magnitude-3.3 earthquake struck near Idyllwild Wednesday morning. It was felt by many people in Palm Springs. [Desert Sun]

⚖️ A judge confirmed an upcoming trial date today for a Sky Valley man accused in a 2021 Palm Springs murder. [KESQ]

🪩 The city sizzled during two Splash House weekends this month. Take an intimate look at the DJs who helped make the event happen. [edm.com]

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YOUR LONG WEEKEND

Today

• Low-cost pet vaccine clinic at Palm Springs Animal Shelter
  
  
• Villagefest in Downtown Palm Springs
  
  
• Free Admission at the Palm Springs Art Museum

Friday

• Trivia Night at Play Cafe & Lounge
  
  
• Palm Springs Indians vs Grand Terrace Football at Rancho Mirage High School ($7-$10)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs ($5)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso ($10-$15)

Saturday

• Indoor Farmers’ Market at Palm Springs Pavilion
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale at the JC Frey Building adjacent to the main library
  
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus School Supply Drive at Dollar Tree on Vista Chino

Sunday

• Bob and Bing Movie Series at Camelot Theatres at Palm Springs Cultural Center
  
  
• Encore: A Summer Concert Film Series at Camelot Theatres at Palm Springs Cultural Center ($12)
  
  
• Sunday T-Dance at Oscar’s starting at 4 p.m. ($10)

Monday

• CalComMen’s Monday Coffee at Play Lounge & Cafe
  
  
• PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors) Circle virtual meeting
  
  
• Fabulous Bingo at King’s Highway at Ace Hotel

SAVE THE DATE

• Mrs. Frisky’s Cats & Bakewell Tart Night at Frisky Business on Sept. 6.
  
  
• PSUSD Diversity & Racial Equity Conference at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Sept. 7.
  
  
• Palm Springs Genealogical Society meets on Sept. 7 and monthly after then.
  
  
• Audition for the Modern Men Chorus on Sept. 9 and Sept. 14 at United Methodist Church of Palm Springs.
  
  
• Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs at Indian Canyons Golf Resort on Sept. 18.
  
  
• Healthy Desert, Healthy You summit on Sept. 20 and 21.
  
  
• Evening Under The Stars benefit for AAP – Food Samaritans on Oct. 13.

AND FINALLY …

If it’s still summer, that means it’s still road construction season — that magical time of year where everyone who complains that the roads need work gets their wish, only to complain that there’s too much roadwork happening. 

Driving the news: Not to add to the frustration, but we thought you’d want to know that a major road construction project to build a median on Sunrise Way in Palm Springs is set to begin on Monday, Sept. 9 and is expected to impact traffic flow until the end of October. 

• The work will affect the area between Via Escuela and Mel Avenue, with particular focus on the intersection of Sunrise Way and Vista Chino.

Why it matters: The city hopes to make improvements in the median that will, among other things, discourage people from crossing over it and instead encourage them to use crosswalks in the intersection. 

• The unofficial shortcut between a shopping center on the east side of Sunrise and both the DAP Health campus and a bus stop on the west side has seen pedestrians putting their lives on the line for years.

What to expect: Drivers should expect significant delays and reduced traffic capacity in the affected area. Only one lane will remain open in each direction on Sunrise Way during the construction period.

• As usual, you are advised to use alternate routes to avoid congestion near the work areas.