Dec. 11 Daily Briefing: Dream Hotel progress, shade project interest, COD ‘breach,’ and more

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🎶 Setting the mood: “Freelance” by Toro y Moi

LEADING OFF

Long-awaited Dream Hotel project back underway

City officials and developers celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Dream Hotel project in Palm Springs, a development that promises to revitalize the downtown area with 155 hotel rooms and 89 condos and townhomes by 2027.

Driving the news: The project, in planning since 2007 near the city’s convention center, faced numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now moving forward with optimism.

• During the ceremony, Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and other city leaders highlighted the development’s potential to enhance Palm Springs’ urban core and boost the local economy through job creation and increased tourism.

Looking back: The development team, led by Lauri Kibby, remained committed to the project despite potential setbacks. Councilmember Lisa Middleton, who has been involved with the project since 2014, praised the team’s perseverance.

• “I want to give an incredible shout out to Lauri Kibby and to all of her team for sticking with this through some good days and through some really hard and difficult nights,” Middleton said.

Bigger picture: The project  is part of a broader wave of development in Palm Springs. Bernstein noted that 2024 has seen the launch or completion of several long-planned projects, including affordable housing units, the Navigation Center, and the groundbreaking of the College of the Desert Palm Springs campus.

What’s next: The luxury resort is expected to open in 2027.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🎨 ‘Beautiful Shade’ project attracts 51 artist proposals

Palm Springs’ “Beautiful Shade” project, aimed at integrating art with climate adaptation in city parks, has received 51 submissions from artists for its $50,000 budget. The initiative seeks to install artistic shade structures by May 19, 2025, focusing on Ruth Hardy Park, Demuth Park, and Wellness Park.

• At a regular meeting earlier this month, Public Arts Commission members emphasized the importance of both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality in the submissions, with a detailed evaluation process planned to ensure the installations provide effective shade.
  
  
• The commission plans to collaborate with the city’s Sustainability Department to assess the proposals’ feasibility and shade provision capabilities. This partnership should ensure that the selected installations will meet the parks’ specific needs while also contributing to Palm Springs’ broader sustainability and public space enhancement goals.
  
  
• Next steps: A special meeting is scheduled for Jan. 16 to review all artist submissions thoroughly.

📚 COD halts presidential search due to breach

The search for College of the Desert’s next permanent president/superintendent has been canceled after a reported breach of confidentiality by one or more members of the 19-member presidential search committee, compromising the fairness and trust fundamental to the process, according to a statement released Tuesday.

• The search committee, composed of 19 voting members who had all signed confidentiality agreements, was approved by the board of trustees on Aug. 16. The breach prompted Bonnie Stefan, chair of the board and the committee, to halt the current search process.
  
  
• A spokesperson emphasized the college board’s commitment to transparency, equity, and trust in the selection process for its next leader. The future of the search, including whether to retain the current search firm or start anew, remains undecided by the board. 
  
  
• Next steps: The terms of Bonnie Stefan and Bea Gonzalez on the board will conclude this Friday, with Mark Meyer and Mary Jane Sanchez set to be sworn in on Dec. 20. It is unclear if the board will discuss the next steps for the presidential search during this meeting or at a later date.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Sunshine Sisters Breakfast
8 a.m. | Rick’s Restaurant
Start the day with other Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters with breakfast and conversation.

The Rotary Club of Palm Springs
12 p.m. | Hilton Palm Springs
Weekly one hour luncheon gathering with a varied program. ($25)

“The 39 Steps”
2 p.m. | CV Repertory
Mix a Hitchcock movie masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python comedic flair and you have “The 39 Steps”, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre. ($55)

Sounds of the Holidays
5 and 6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Cathedral City High School choir performs tonight at the top of the tram. ($35)

Open Mic Night
5:30 p.m. | Play Lounge & Cafe
Join Joel Baker on piano and Brian Alec Thom as they sing the night away. Bring your own sheet music for Joel to play. ($10)

Planning Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Palm Springs Planning Commission gathers for a regular meeting this evening, followed by a study session. Among the items on the agenda is a planned Chick-fil-A restaurant. You can see the agenda here.

SAVE THE DATE

• Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage starts in downtown Palm Springs on Thursday.
  
  
• 2024 Walk of the Inns on Thursday.
  
  
• The Great Catsby Book Club at Frisky Business Cat Cafe on Thursday.
  
  
• A DAP Health Community Conversation online on Thursday.
  
  
• Palm Springs City Council Meeting at City Hall on Thursday. 
  
  
• Christmas Movie in the Park at Sunrise Park on Friday.
  
  
• Holiday Paw Parade & Pet Costume Contest at Victoria Park on Saturday.
  
  
• Friends of the Library Holiday Bazaar at the Palm Springs Public Library on Saturday. 
  
  
• Desert Film Society Screenings on Dec. 21.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet the sweet terrier/pit bull mix, Tia. She’s 12 years old, and staff at the shelter say she’s good at meeting new people and good on leash. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. And get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.

But wait, there’s more: Tune in to NBC Palm Springs at 4 p.m. tomorrow for the shelter’s “Tail-a-Thon” fundraiser. The telethon will raise money for critical funds and will feature heartwarming stories, interviews, and maybe even some fun with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Learn more online here.