Dec. 15 Daily Briefing: Theater contract approved, drive-thru-only Starbucks in limbo, city has new mayor, and more

Happy Friday, where we’re happy to report the dog park behind City Hall is once again open for you furry friends to frolic. City staff said earlier this week that work to reseed and refurbish the dog park was completed on time, and the facility opened again after a roughly one-month closure. Woof!

🎶 Setting the mood: “I Can Change” by LCD Soundsystem

LEADING OFF

$26 million contract for theater restoration approved, along with funding plan

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously voted to approve a $26 million construction contract for rehabilitating the historic downtown Plaza Theatre on Thursday, but only after agreeing that thorough oversight of the project and its funding was needed.

Driving the news: Councilmembers agreed to accept one of the bids for the work – a $26.3 million proposal from Woodcliff Corporation – and how to pay for it – through existing city funds they hope will be replenished.

By the numbers: The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation has already raised roughly $16 million for the theater’s restoration, which it expected to cover construction costs. However, once bids for the project came in earlier this year, it became clear that much more would be needed.

• That fact, outlined in a staff report released last week, proved hard to swallow for some residents after it was reported that the nonprofit foundation was seeking an additional $20 million in repayable funds from the city.

Zoom in: On Thursday, the Council elected to approve an agreement that commits $7.5 million in Measure J funds – as recommended earlier in the day by the Measure J Oversight Commission – and a total of $12.5 million from set-asides and the city’s general fund to help fund the theater’s rehabilitation. 

Yes, but: While some of the funds had been earmarked to assist with getting other projects off the ground, those projects will not be at risk, councilmembers assured the community, as continued fundraising by the foundation is expected to help replenish city coffers.

• A payback clause is in included in the agreement approved Thursday evening.  

What they’re saying: “We don’t believe that other projects like the public library and the fire station would be affected in any way by the project financing that we’re talking about today,” said City Manager Scott Stiles. 

What to watch for: Also approved was a request to assign a manager to oversee the project, another safeguard to assure that city funds would be well-spent.

• “(W)hat I’m being told is that money will in fact be returned,” said Councilmember Lisa Middleton, directing her comments toward the city’s finance director. “If it’s not, it doesn’t matter where I’m at. I will find you. …That money will come back.” 

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

☕ Decision on drive-thru-only Starbucks delayed

City leaders voted 4-1 on Thursday to delay the decision on a drive-thru-only Starbucks located on the southeast corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Racquet Club Road.

• The parcel in question would house a coffee shop without inside seating – a plan narrowly approved, with several conditions, by both the city’s Planning Commission and Architectural Review Committee.
  
  
• Since receiving the initial approvals, the developer has changed the plan to reduce the number of drive-thru lanes from two to one and added a walk-up window and a shaded area.
  
  
• The city’s Sustainability Commission voted unanimously against the project, however, and a Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Action Association representative who spoke during Thursday’s meeting said the proposed project does not fit the community’s needs.
  
  
• Bottom line: Councilmembers wanted more from the developer and voted to continue the discussion for up to 90 days. Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein acknowledged community concerns with the project, saying, “It’s not really in harmony with our overall vision or the general plan in terms of our sustainability efforts.”

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YOUR WEEKEND

TODAY

Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Club
2 p.m. | Public Library
This week, the book club meets to discuss “The Personal Librarian,” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Artists for Oswit
5 p.m. | Desert Art Woman Gallery
Join artists for a reception of the exhibit that will benefit Oswit Land Trust.

The Roundtable: HIV/AIDS survivors
5:30 p.m. | Ken Seeley Community Room
A weekly discussion group for long-term HIV/AIDS survivors in the Coachella Valley.

SATURDAY

Flea Market
8 a.m. | Demuth Community Center
Enjoy a local flea market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Certified Farmers’ Market
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Camelot Theatre
The market returns to its outdoor location, with local farmers and vendors offering fresh agricultural and related products.

Tahquitz Creek Clean-up
8 a.m. | Tahquitz Creek Foot Bridge
Meet other volunteers at the south end of the footbridge on South Riverside Drive at Camino Real, and come prepared with good shoes and gardening gloves if you have them. Trash bags, water, and disposable gloves are provided.

Breakfast with Santa
8 a.m. | Palm Springs Pavilion
Meet Santa for breakfast bright and early before he begins his busy season.

Palm Springs Santa Paws 5K
9 a.m. | 332 West Alejo Road
Every participant is welcome to come dressed up as Santa for this Festive Fun Run. Other events include kids and pets. ($50)

SUNDAY

Ho! Brunch
11 a.m. | PS Underground
Enjoy a side-splittingly funny yet raunchy romp into the darker side of this usually sparkly holiday season. ($79)

Ed Begley, Jr. Book Signing
2 p.m. | Just Fabulous
Television and film icon Ed Begley, Jr. will sign his new memoir, “To The Temple Of Tranquility…And Step On it!” Rescheduled from a previous date

SAVE THE DATE

• Santa Fly Over at Palm Springs Air Museum on Dec. 18.
  
  
• Snowtopia at Palm Springs Air Museum starting Dec. 19.
  
  
• “Die Hard” at the Cultural Center on Dec. 24.
  
  
• Rock the Park: Tribute to Tina Turner by Debby Holiday at the Downtown Park on Jan. 3.
  
  
• Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan. 4 through 15.

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AND FINALLY …

For the 25th time in 85 years, Palm Springs has a new mayor. 

Driving the news: During a brief ceremony at the start of the Palm Springs City Council’s regular meeting Thursday evening, Jeffrey Bernstein was sworn into the role and moved into the seat. 

• Bernstein, who was elected to the Council last November, previously served as mayor pro tem. That role will now be filled by Ron deHarte, who moved one chair to the left along with Bernstein. 

Zoom in: After taking an oath administered by his husband, Dr. Oscar Chamudes, Bernstein thanked his fellow councilmembers, city staff, residents, and employees at his downtown business, Destination PSP.

• Bernstein said he will focus on housing and homelessness, the needs of the small business community, parks, open space, historic preservation, and improvements to the city’s infrastructure and aging facilities.
  
  
• He also hopes to see multiple projects break ground or celebrate grand openings, including a College of the Desert satellite campus, the Thompson and Dream hotels, and a bridge slated to be built over the wash along North Indian Canyon Drive.

What they’re saying: “We have dozens if not hundreds of arts and culture organizations and businesses,” Bernstein wrote in an email earlier this week. “I want to cement Palm Springs as an arts and culture destination.  I’m working with a group of our organizations on a city-wide annual festival.”