Dec. 11 Daily Briefing: Plaza Theatre funding, new townhome project, toy drive success, and more

Welcome to another Monday, everyone, where if you think it’s too darn dark too darn early, there’s a bit of good news. Sunday saw the earliest sunset of the year, meaning it will slowly start to set a little bit later each day. This is not to be confused with the winter solstice, however. The “shortest” day of the year is still scheduled for Dec. 21. Until then, the sun will continue to rise later each day, resulting in less total daylight. But for now we at least get more daylight in the afternoon!

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Show Must Go On” by Pink Floyd

LEADING OFF

Foundation asks city for additional $20 million to help restore theater

Faced with a $10 million gap between initial construction cost estimates and current bids to restore the city’s historic Plaza Theatre, the foundation managing the project has asked the city for a funding and repayment agreement totaling $20 million.

Zoom in: The downtown theater is a city-owned property that has been out of commission for several years. The Plaza Theatre Foundation, formed in 2021, has raised approximately $14.3 million to support renovation of the facility. The city had pledged an initial $2 million.

At issue: In a letter to the city made public last week, the foundation’s board said construction bids have significantly exceeded initial estimates of $16.5 million. Bids to do the work now range from $26.3 million to $27 million.

• The total needed for the project is now $34 million, the board wrote, leaving the organization roughly $20 million short.

Behind the scenes: In a report prepared for the Palm Springs City Council, city staff said potential funding sources could include $15 million in existing Measure J funds, $10 million from budget reserves, and $5.6 million from budget set-asides.

• While using those funds could temporarily impact other city projects., including a new downtown fire station, foundation leaders maintain the impact would be negligible.

What they’re saying: “The city is in a unique position financially,” the foundation’s board of directors wrote. “… Since our project is ‘shovel ready,’ these funds can be deployed immediately as construction will start in (the first quarter of 2024).”

Up next: The issue will be discussed at the next regular Council meeting, set for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Public comments can be submitted here.

Dive deeper with our complete story.

BRIEFLY

🏗️ Townhome project on tribal land planned

A 61-unit townhome development being planned near the intersection of Amado Road and Hermosa Drive is up for review at City Hall, but the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Council gets final say.

• As currently planned, the development — named Latitude 61 — will feature 17 three-story buildings with up to four townhomes each, ranging in size from 1,770 to 2,120 square feet.
  
  
• The project is subject to the Tribal/City Land Use Coordination Agreement, which allows the city to review and comment on the project, but reserves the final decision for the tribe.
  
  
• Bottom line: City planners suggested the tribe consider removing controlled access gates and relocating some trees shown on the current site plan. They also recommend a joint meeting between the city and tribal councils about the project be waived.

👩🏽‍🎓SCE encourages scholarship applications

Applications are now being accepted for high school seniors to apply to become Edison Scholars. 

• High school students who live in Southern California Edison’s service area are eligible to apply for the $50,000 award, paid over four years. In addition, those chosen are eligible for a paid summer internship with SCE upon completing their first year of school.
  
  
• Bottom line: The deadline to apply for this year’s scholarships is Jan. 23, 2024. Students interested in applying should go to this SCE website

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FEATURED EVENTS

Toy Giveaway
1 p.m. until 6 p.m. | Palm Springs American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 519’s annual “Parents As Heroes” toy drive culminates with this giveaway, where parents can shop for their children free of charge. This is an adults-only event.

Leanna & Miguel
5 p.m. until 8 p.m. | V Wine Lounge
Join Leanna and Miguel as they play Jazz, Latin, Bossa and Mod every Monday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Mon Petit Salon
5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Each week features unique arrangements and renditions of French Swing, Classical, Eastern European, and Jazz Manouche genres. ($10)

Human Rights Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
This city commission typically meets on the second Monday of each month both online and in person. Tonight’s meeting agenda can be found here.

Monday Men’s Coffee
6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. | Gre Coffeehouse
Join in for coffee, chat, and a chew at this free, drop-in event designed for men to share what’ son their minds.

SAVE THE DATE

• Photos with Santa at the main library on Tuesday.
  
  
• Menorah lighting at City Hall on Tuesday.
  
  
• Palm Springs District 3 Community Meeting on Wednesday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Animal Shelter Tail-A-Thon on Thursday.
  
  
• Breakfast with Santa at the city’s pavilion on Dec. 16.
  
  
• Snowtopia at Palm Springs Air Museum starting Dec. 19.
  
  
• “Die Hard” at the Cultural Center on Dec. 24.
  
  
• Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan. 4 through 15.

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AND FINALLY …

🧸 If you’re wondering how generous the community you live in might be, we submit the picture above. 

Zoom in: You’re looking at the “toy room” at American Legion Post 519. The space is usually reserved for meetings but was taken over to make way for a Santa workshop like a few others. 

• The auxiliary at the post collected donated toys from the community and is handing them out at its annual “Parents As Heroes” event.

Details: During the event, which started Thursday, parents are encouraged to come to the legion building off Belardo Road and pick up toys, free of charge, for their children to receive this holiday season.

• The event continues today from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Legion building at 400 North Belardo Rd. And remember, it’s adults only.

But wait: The toy drive associated with “Parents As Heroes” is just one of the many happening in our city.

• Through Dec. 24, you can drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Palm Springs Fire Department Station 2, 300 North El Cielo Rd. Toys will be distributed through the Boys & Girls Club, The James O. Jessie Community Center, Jewish Family Services, and the PSUSD Family Center.
  
  
• Through Dec. 11, you can bring an unwrapped gift or gift card to The Saguaro, 1800 East Palm Canyon Dr., for a toy drive benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs. Donors will receive raffle tickets for prizes, hotel packages, and a loyalty card, good for discounts at the hotel’s El Jefe restaurant.