Feb. 25 Daily Briefing: Accusations rebuffed, projects narrowed, roadwork opinions wanted, and more

Happy Tuesday, everyone, where street work appears to now be the soundtrack of our lives. Down below, you’ll see our effort to call attention to a pair of meetings where the city needs your thoughts about road reconfigurations. They come at the same time the SR111 pavement project is causing a mess for drivers. But wait, there’s more! The city sent word yesterday that construction of a modern bridge over Tahquitz Creek at South Palm Canyon Drive is set to begin this week, with completion expected by late 2026. For more on that project, turn here. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Do You Think We’ll Last Forever” by Caroline Rose

LEADING OFF

Measure J Commission advances $6.7M in community projects

The Measure J Oversight Commission is finalizing recommendations for community project funding in Palm Springs. Last week, the commission advanced several major projects, including improvements to Palm Springs Stadium and solar installations for local nonprofits.

Driving the news: At a Feb. 20 meeting, the commission considered projects totaling $6.7 million, exceeding its budget by approximately $674,000. After voting unanimously against funding a $1.1 million LED lighting upgrade at Cerritos Park — citing insufficient documentation — $400,000 remained.

Why it matters: Measure J, funded through a one-cent sales tax, raises over $20 million annually. A portion is set aside for community projects and anyone can apply for funding.

What’s at stake: Recommended projects this year include $500,000 for a cancer infusion center and cardiology clinic, solar installations for the Mizell Center and The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, elevator replacement at the Palm Springs Art Museum, accessibility improvements at James O. Jessie Community Center, and improvements to Palm Springs Stadium.

What they’re saying: City Engineer Joel Montalvo cautioned against allocating all available money right away.

• “Generally what happens in projects, you will run into deficits or change orders, things of that nature that may require additional funding,” Montalvo said. “The commission may consider keeping a piggybank of community-initiated funds.”

What’s next: The commission plans to review additional projects at its March meeting to further refine its recommendations and determine allocation of any remaining funds.

• Eventually, the commission’s recommendations will be presented to the City Council for final approval.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🎭 Foundation president, city reject claims in legal battle over entryway

The president of The Plaza Theatre Foundation and city officials on Monday strongly refuted allegations made by Grit Development in an escalating dispute over the theater’s entryway in Downtown Palm Springs.

• J.R. Roberts, the foundation’s president, denied claims that his organization possesses any decision-making authority in the city’s negotiations regarding the adjacent property. He reaffirmed the foundation’s focus on fundraising goals.
  
• The city, through Communications Director Amy Blaisdell, added: “The City of Palm Springs has not and cannot legally give authority over the decision-making power regarding any real estate or legal proceedings to anyone. Any claim to the contrary is false.”
  
• The dispute centers on an outdoor patio space used by Kalura Trattoria, which the city plans to incorporate into the theater restoration for improved access, events, and VIP reception areas.
  
• What to watch for: The city attorney is continuing negotiations with Grit, while the next court hearing is scheduled for May.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

PSPD Crime Prevention Presentation
9 a.m. | Palm Springs Police Department
Join PSPD for a Crime Prevention Presentation focused on providing training to business owners to deter retail crime. 

Lunchtime Music On The Patio
11:30 a.m | Welwood Murray Memorial Library
The Welwood Murray Memorial Library downtown is offering a chill lunchtime live music program from the Simon Duo, with Adriana Simon on vocals and Robert Simon on acoustic guitar.

Road Reconfiguration Project Community Meeting
5:30 p.m. | Demuth Community Center
Gather for a community meeting on the road reconfiguration project for a 2.1 mile stretch of South Palm Canyon Drive. 

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

PSUSD Board of Education Meeting
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
The Board of Education meetings tonight, check out 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

• Racquet Club Road Reconfiguration Project Community Meetings at the Demuth Community Center on 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. ($65-$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)
  

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AND FINALLY …

It’s impossible to ignore the ongoing road work in the city (*cough* *cough* Gene Autry Trail), so while we’re all stuck in traffic, it’s a perfect time to start envisioning what the city streets could look like in the future.

Driving the news: The city of Palm Springs is hosting community meetings for two different Road Reconfiguration projects, one on South Palm Canyon Drive and another on Racquet Club Road. 

What that means: Now is the time to bring big ideas to the table. The city is interested in residents’ feedback on things like bike lanes, visibility enhancements, and how to better connect communities with shopping, trailheads, and schools.

Dive deeper: Tonight’s meeting focuses on a 2.1- mile corridor of South Palm Canyon Drive stretching from Acanto Drive to East Palm Canyon Drive. Learn more about the project on Engage Palm Springs.

Check this out: If you can’t make it to the hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting, get a head start on submitting feedback by using the city’s own interactive map to add your ideas or point out problem areas. Use this link for South Palm Canyon Drive and this link for Racquet Club Road. 

Details: The first community meeting is tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Demuth Community Center and it focuses on South Palm Canyon Drive.

• Tomorrow’s meeting is at the same time and place and will cover Racquet Club Road from North Palm Canyon Drive to Farrell Drive and Vista Chino.