Feb. 24 Daily Briefing: Theater’s legal issues, Marilyn move begins, looking back at parade, and more

Happy Monday, everyone! By now, you’re probably aware that driving on some portions of Gene Autry Trail is a mess as construction associated with the SR111 Roadway Project (find updates here) puts the squeeze on multiple lanes, causing long backups during most daylight hours. Unfortunately, there’s no letup. Today, the inside lane will be closed on southbound Gene Autry from Dinah Shore to East Palm Canyon Drive. At some point, crews will then turn around and the outside lane will be closed to Camino Parocela. Since there’s no traffic patrol happening, you’d be advised to avoid the road completely, or take patience if you must travel that way.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Fluorescent Adolescent” by the Arctic Monkey

LEADING OFF

Legal battle over Plaza Theatre entry intensifies between city, property owner

While Palm Springs may have an agreement with restaurant owners whose current patio seating will be taken by the city as part of the Plaza Theatre restoration, a settlement with the owner of the property the patio sits on continues to run through the courts.

Driving the news: The city announced earlier this month it had reached a $500,000 settlement with Kalura Trattoria for its patio space. However, the owner of the space, Grit Development, is challenging the city’s eminent domain action in court, potentially jeopardizing the theater’s restoration timeline.

Zoom in: The city owns the theater. It opened in 1936 but has remained vacant since the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies closed in 2014.

Details: The restaurant settlement includes plans for a new 60-seat dining area in the city’s right of way, but Grit has filed multiple objections to the city’s attempt to acquire a permanent easement on the patio space.

• Court documents show the city has set aside $600,000 as possible compensation for Grit.

At issue: In a Riverside County Superior Court filing last week, Grit argues the city improperly delegated decision-making power to the private Palm Springs Theatre Foundation — headed by a former City Council member. 

• It also claims the primary beneficiary would be Oak View Group, the theatre’s future private operator, rather than the public, as Grit attorneys said required by law.

What’s next: A court hearing is scheduled for May. If Grit’s challenge succeeds, the city may need to restart eminent domain proceedings, potentially pushing back the historic theatre’s planned reopening in December of this year.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🌟 Black History Parade unites community in celebration

The Palm Springs Black History Month Committee and the City of Palm Springs hosted their 38th annual Black History Parade and Town Fair on Saturday, drawing thousands of attendees to celebrate African American culture and achievements under the theme “African Americans and Labor.”

• More than 50 parade entries filled downtown Palm Springs, including marching bands, drill teams, and notable groups like the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors and the Tuskegee Airman Buford Johnson Chapter.
  
• “Black history is American history,” said Jarvis Crawford, president of the Palm Springs Black History Committee and parade organizer. Crawford emphasized that while this is the Black History Parade, it celebrates all cultures and encourages unity and mutual support.
  
• Zoom in: The celebration continued at a Town Fair in Downtown Park with food vendors, live music, and performances until 6 p.m., featuring groups like Double Dutch Therapy, a team of Black women over 39 who showcase jump rope and dance routines.

Dive deeper with Maggie Miles’ complete story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group
2:30 p.m. | Mizell Senior Center
This weekly support group offers a safe, confidential, supportive environment for individuals caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.

CalComMen’s Monday Coffee
5 p.m. | Play Lounge & Café
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Mon Petit Salon
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of live music from the award-winning team from the high desert: Mon Petit Mojave ($22)

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Commissioners meet this evening to hear presentations about art in public parks project, and an update on the dog park renovation project. Check out the rest of the agenda here.

Highway 111 Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Caltrans is working this year on rehabilitating the pavement of a large section of Highway 111. Check out the full map and see how your drive around town might be impacted.

SAVE THE DATE

• Road Reconfiguration Project Community Meetings at the Demuth Community Center on Tuesday and Wednesday.
  
• Agua Caliente Speaker Series: Language Revitalization at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza on Wednesday. ($15) 
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale at the JC Frey Building at the Palm Springs Public Library on Friday and Saturday.
  
• “Grand Concourse” at Dezart Performs starting Friday. ($62)
  
• District 2 Community Meeting at Vista del Monte Elementary School on March 3.
  
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” at CV Repertory starting March 5. ($120)
  
• Rock the Park Concert Series: AbbaFab at the Downtown Park on March 5.
  
• Desert X starts March 8.
  
• Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike and 5K Run at Indian Canyons on March 8. ($12) (Ticket ordering closes this Friday, Feb. 28)
  
• Palm Springs Drone Fest at Palm Springs High School starting March 21. ($25)
  
  See all events

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AND FINALLY …

If you’ve ever dreamed of watching a 26-foot-tall, 34,000-pound statue get disassembled and reassembled a few feet away, the next few days will provide an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Driving the news: Following years of legal wrangling, protests, and debate on all sides, The “Forever Marilyn” statue currently standing on Museum Way is being moved — slowly and carefully — to a new pad in Downtown Park. 

• The move started on Sunday. Onlookers gathered in the morning to watch as crews inspected the statue at its current location and measured the new pad for precise placement.  

Zoom in: While PS Resorts, the owner of the artwork, has given itself until Friday to complete the move, it may take less time. Crews will need to disassemble it into multiple pieces and then move it to the new pad just to the north.

• Once installed, the sculpture will have a backdrop of palm trees and local hills instead of the Palm Springs Art Museum, opening up a view corridor down Museum Way between Palm Canyon Drive and the museum.