Feb. 2 Daily Briefing: Preserve fire, vigil for ‘Walking Man,’ Garner kicks off campaign, and more

Welcome to Monday, to February, to Groundhog Day, and to Black History Month! We weren’t able to attend Saturday’s flag-raising ceremony (watch it here) to kick the month off, but as several speakers mentioned, there will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate Black history throughout February. We have some of those listed in this story, but make sure to check the Black History Committee calendar here and the city calendar here. We’ll see you at the parade and town fair on the 28th.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Walking Man” by James Taylor

LEADING OFF

Fire department plans open house as downtown parking concerns surface over Station 1 expansion

As concerns mount about the project’s potential impact on nearby parking, the Palm Springs Fire Department has scheduled a community open house for later this month to discuss plans to modernize the aging downtown Fire Station 1.

Driving the news: The department will host the event from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the station, located at 277 North Indian Canyon Road.

• Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and department personnel plan to offer guided tours of the historic 1955 facility and share information about plans for a new facility on adjacent parcels that will expand crew quarters and apparatus bays.

The backstory: The announcement comes after multiple residents and business owners used last week’s City Council meeting to voice strong opposition to any plan that would eliminate an existing downtown parking lot to accommodate the expansion.

• Speakers warned that removing the lot could harm nearby businesses, reduce foot traffic and make the area less accessible.
  
• “To deplete a large amount of these spaces would, without a doubt, cause a severe impact to the foot traffic for all of the businesses in our area,” said John Park, who owns multiple businesses in the 200 block of North Palm Canyon Drive.

What they’re saying: Several speakers suggested alternatives they said could allow the fire station project to move forward without sacrificing parking spaces, ranging from building upward rather than outward to purchasing nearby property or incorporating replacement parking into the project design.

Why it matters: Fire Station 1 no longer meets current operational needs. The proposed expansion would preserve the historic building while constructing new facilities to accommodate modern equipment and increased staffing needs driven by higher call volume and continued downtown development.

Dive deeper

BRIEFLY

🔥 Fire destroys palm oasis at Prescott Preserve

• The Palm Springs Fire Department contained a 3.5-acre vegetation fire at Prescott Preserve on Sunday afternoon that destroyed approximately 100 palm trees near the pond area between Farrell Drive and Compadre Road. Firefighters responded at 2:17 p.m. and upgraded to a second alarm as flames spread rapidly through the vegetation.
  
• A spokesperson for Oswit Land Trust, which manages the preserve, said the organization believes the fire was human-caused and said an arson investigation will take place this week. No structures were damaged, and no injuries were reported, but the extent of damage to wildlife, including turtles, owls, bats, and coots has not yet been assessed.
  
• Bottom line: Trails on the east side of Farrell will remain closed until further notice, and all recovery and replanting efforts will require donations since the palm oasis was not included in the organization’s restoration grant.
  
• Dive deeper with our complete story

🗳️ Garner launches re-election campaign for District 1 Council seat

• Palm Springs City Councilmember Grace Garner kicked off her re-election campaign Sunday at Demuth Park ahead of November’s election. Garner has served on the council since December 2019 and is currently its most senior member.
  
• She identified pedestrian and traffic safety as a renewed focus area and pointed to ongoing citywide projects, including the convention center, library, airport, and Fire Station 1, as priorities requiring experienced leadership. She also highlighted the Tramview Heights specific plan as instrumental for bringing diversified housing and retail to the northern part of her district.
  
• Zoom out: Two other council seats are on the ballot this year — District 2, held by Jeffrey Bernstein, who launched his re-election campaign last October, and District 3, held by Ron deHarte, who has not yet held a formal kickoff but filed a statement of intention to run with the City Clerk’s office last year.

Dive deeper with our complete story

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

California Winter League
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Stadium 
The California Winter League Baseball series continues all week at Palm Springs Stadium. ($10)

Youth & Adult Boxing
4 p.m. | Demuth Community Center
For those looking to get their weekday workout in, the community center is offering a free space to do that and learn boxing. 

HangingOUT! – Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar
Join Leanna and Miguel for a night of dancing to jazz, Latin, pop, disco, and more. ($5)

Conversational Spanish
5:30 p.m. | The Center
Join a dynamic and diverse group of people who get together to chat and strengthen their language skills. New attendees must register beforehand.

Free Trivia with Deven & Ned
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
A fast-paced trivia and game show mash-up featuring 8 rapid-fire rounds and interactive surprises.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Black History Month events throughout February
  
• NUANCE Modernism Art Exhibit on Friday at Janssen Art Space
  
• Palm Springs Speaks with Cheech Marin on Saturday
  
• Modernism Week from Feb. 12 through 22 throughout the city
  
• Palm Springs Modernism Show on Feb. 14 and 15 at the convention center
  
• Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Feb. 19-22

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

Nearly 100 people walked a mile through Palm Springs on Sunday to honor Ricardo Marano, the 56-year-old pedestrian known affectionately as “The Walking Man,” who was killed in a hit-and-run crash Jan. 18.

Driving the news: The community gathered outside Marano’s condominium complex and walked to Ruth Hardy Park, retracing a route he walked daily — sometimes covering more than 30 miles in a single day.

• Marano was struck by a vehicle near the 1000 block of East Vista Chino around 3:30 a.m. Jan. 18. Police recovered a black 2005 Chevrolet Silverado believed to be involved, but no arrests have been made.

Why it matters: For many residents, Marano’s presence had become part of the rhythm of daily life in Palm Springs — a familiar figure who drew waves, conversations, and comfort simply by being there.

What they’re saying: “To know him was to realize that he possessed a truly magnetic personality,” his sister wrote in a letter read at the vigil. “He was simply the kind of person who naturally drew people in.”

• Neighbors described a minimalist who loved plants, worked as a hair stylist, and found peace in walking the city streets at all hours.

The bigger picture: Attendees said after the vigil that they hope not only that justice is eventually served, but that the tragedy brings renewed attention to pedestrian safety in a tourism-heavy city where unfamiliar drivers navigate dark roads.

Read our complete story and see more images from the walk and vigil