Dec. 5 Daily Briefing: Massive warehouse complex, splitting up city art, milestone for eatery, and more

TGIF folks! ‘Tis the season for so many wonderful experiences for young and old, and we wanted to point out one that probably shouldn’t be missed for the younger crowd: On Sunday from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m., Santa will be available for pictures (and perhaps some private conversations about what his elves can make for local children) at Downtown Park, 230 Museum Dr. The event is free and follows his appearance, along with Mrs. Claus, this evening at the annual holiday tree lighting. Tonight’s event kicks off at 4 p.m. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Mannequin Love” by Justine, The Flints

LEADING OFF

2.85M-square-foot tribal warehouse plan heading to City Council for review

The Palm Springs City Council will discuss a proposed 2.85 million-square-foot warehouse complex on tribal land at its Dec. 10 meeting, though the city has no authority to approve or deny it.

Driving the news: The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and developer Shopoff Realty Investments plan to build four massive warehouse buildings on 217 acres near Tipton Road, between Interstate 10 and Highway 111. 

• Under a 1998 coordination agreement, the city must review the project despite its location on tribal trust land.

Why it matters: The development would become one of the Coachella Valley’s largest logistics hubs and add to a growing cluster of warehouse projects already under construction on city land in north Palm Springs.

• The area already includes a 2 million-square-foot development across two buildings at Indian Canyon Drive and 18th Avenue, plus a 730,000-square-foot warehouse on 38 acres at Indian Canyon Drive and 19th Avenue.

The city’s role: Palm Springs cannot regulate land use on tribal trust property. Instead, the council will vote on a conformity report analyzing traffic, infrastructure, air quality and public safety impacts. 

• The report includes recommended conditions, but they are not binding on the tribe.

What’s next: The council will review the analysis and decide whether to transmit it to the Agua Caliente tribe at its next regular meeting Dec. 10.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🖼️ Arts Commission begins weighing new rules to distinguish public art from memorial works

• The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission discussed a proposal Thursday to divide the city’s art holdings into two categories: public art and commemorative or memorial pieces. The change follows a July decision to rename the collection as the Palm Springs Art and Culture Collection.
  
• A subcommittee reviewed public arts ordinances from 25 California cities and found few subdivide their collections, with Los Angeles and San Francisco being exceptions. Proposed eligibility criteria for commemorative works require subjects to have local or regional significance, with individuals deceased or events occurring at least five years prior.
  
• Bottom line: Any proposed commemorative works would still require Public Arts Commission approval and must go through the regular application process. The works must come from a formal gift, donation or commission, show adequate funding documentation and demonstrate meaningful public engagement.

Dive deeper with our complete story

YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Broadway Barbara Live at The Purple Room Supper Club Friday and Saturday ($45)
  
• Annie the Musical at the Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend ($20-$46)
  
• Dear Evan Hansen at Coachella Valley Repertory all weekend ($95)

TODAY

• New Members Show at Desert Art Center at 2 p.m.
  
• Endeavor with Jase at Demuth Park at 3 p.m.
  
• Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting starting at 4 p.m.
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
  
• Dusty Strings Collective at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. ($20)
  
• Favorite Things at On The Mark at 6 p.m. ($109)
  
• Hitchcock Retrospective: Foreign Correspondent at the Camelot Theatres ($14)

SATURDAY

• Cars & Coffee at Porsche Palm Springs at 8 a.m. 
  
• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
• Frisky Business Turns 3 – Open House at Frisky Business starting at 8:30 a.m. 
  
• Holiday Pet Parade at the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood at 10 a.m. 
  
• Introduction to Chinese Mahjong at the Social Cafe & Play Lounge at 10 a.m. 
  
• Pearl Harbor: The Second Attack at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 1 p.m. 
  
• Festival of Lights Parade on Palm Canyon Drive at 5:45 p.m. 
  
• The Leslie’s’ 37th Annual Toy Drive and Fundraiser at the Palm Springs Art Museum at 6 p.m. ($250)

SUNDAY

• Palm Springs Vintage Market on Indian Canyon Dr., starting at 7 a.m.
  
• Antique Automobile Club of America Meetup at Social Cafe & Play Lounge
  
• Men of the Desert Fashion Show & Luncheon at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 11 a.m. ($250)
  
• Small Wonder: 9th Annual Holiday Exhibition at Janssen Artspace at 4 p.m.
  
• Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway at 5:30 p.m.
  
• Palm Springs Symphony: Sleigh Ride & A Joyful Christmas Concert at the Plaza Theatre at 7:30 p.m. ($110)

AND FINALLY …

Billy Reed’s, the Palm Springs time capsule where stained-glass lamps glow and a koi pond greets you at the door, celebrates 50 years of old-school hospitality on Sunday with champagne flowing all day.

Driving the news: The restaurant at 1800 North Palm Canyon Drive has been serving everything from breakfast-anytime to award-winning handmade desserts since Dec. 7, 1975, when founders Billy “Reed” Garner and Robbie Lemley created what regulars simply call a gem in the desert.

• After retiring in 1987 and leasing it out for 25 years, they bought it back in 2012, preserving every nostalgic detail. Lemley passed away in 2019.

Zoom in: This isn’t a restaurant chasing social media followers or designer aesthetics. The covered entrance welcomes those who need extra time getting inside, while the interior reveals decades of collected treasures that required extra space just to house it all.

• The handmade pastries come with an apology from Billy himself on the menu: “Forgive us if we run out.”

The bottom line: In a valley of trendy hotspots, Billy Reed’s remains what it’s always been — a place where generous portions, warm wood interiors, and a devoted family of regulars prove that taking care of customers never goes out of style. 

• To celebrate, staff at the eatery said there will be free champagne all day Sunday!