July 17 Daily Briefing: Palm tree preservation, art curator for PSP, library closure postponed, and more

Happy Thursday, everyone, where we have an update on the bookstore story we reported yesterday. Last night, The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs co-owner Paul Bradley Carr officially committed to the store’s new location and we’re happy to tell you that it’s moving to 113 La Plaza, between White Llama Arts and Crafts from Peru and Music Box and Clock Shoppe. That’s just a few hundred yards — a three-minute walk — from the current location on East Tahquitz Canyon Way. Also, thanks to the generosity of the folks at Sunbelt Rentals, you should now be able to browse the aisles at the store’s current location in comfort: Yesterday they donated and installed two temporary AC units to keep the current store location cool.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Thursday” by Jim Croce

LEADING OFF

City commits to preserving trees during South Palm Canyon Bridge construction

Palm Springs officials are addressing resident concerns about palm trees in the South Palm Canyon Bridge Project area, saying that all existing palm trees will remain in place during the current phase of work and that future plans call for preservation of the trees if and when they need to be removed.

Driving the news: On Wednesday, Andrea Suarez, community outreach director for the bridge project, provided an update on the status of palm trees located south of Sunny Dunes Road in the project area as construction is now underway.

• “At this stage of construction, no palm tree removals are planned,” she wrote in a post made on the city’s website. “All existing palm trees will remain in place while the current phase of work is underway.”

Looking ahead: When future phases require palm trees to be removed, she said all viable palms will be preserved and relocated to a city facility for use in future landscaping and beautification projects.

• “The City is committed to preserving the community’s iconic palm trees wherever possible,” she wrote. “The City appreciates the public’s interest and care for the trees and will continue to provide updates as the project progresses.”

Yes, but: Community members may see markings on some palm trees in the construction area, she said, but these markings are no longer relevant.

• The markings were part of an earlier relocation plan that has since been revised.

The latest: Utility work is currently underway at the project site, with Desert Water Agency crews working this week and next as the construction team begins waterline installation.

• Crews also expect to complete shoring for the bridge footings in the next week.

Go deeper: For more information, visit the project website or call the project hotline at 760-502-0072.

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BRIEFLY

🖼️ Airport Commission approves $425,000 contract for art curation services

The Palm Springs Airport Commission approved a $425,000 contract with Group Creative Services LLC on Wednesday to provide art curator consulting services to the Palm Springs International Airport. The three-year contract comes in response to the City Council’s January approval of an Art Program Policy for the airport, which “governs how art is selected, procured, maintained, funded, and staged or rotated at the airport,” according to a commission staff report. The consulting group will assist the airport in adhering to this policy.

• The newly selected airport art curator will serve as a non-voting advisor to the new Art Review Working Group, which will oversee the selection process and other logistics related to curating art installations for the airport.
  
• “It’s not enough to just install a piece of artwork. It really needs an extra layer of programming,” said Teva Dawson, director of Group Creative Services. “We facilitate artists and residency programs, advance socially engaged art, artist talks, and create resident-level programs to engage citizens in co-creating more wonder in the community,”  Dawson said the group draws on “a network of local, national and international artists to find those who are exactly the right fit for the need.”
  
• In response to a commissioner’s question about sourcing work from local Coachella Valley artists, Dawson said that Group Creative Services will prioritize supporting local and regional artists first, while also seeking artists who are a good fit for the airport. “Our local libraries are not just made up of local authors. Many times the music events we go to don’t just have local musicians, right?” Dawson said.
  
• Next steps: The contract agreement is expected to be presented to the City Council for final approval on Sept. 10.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Game Night
4 p.m. | Starbase 505
Join the team at Starbase 505 for fun and friendly board games. Whether its a quick party game or deep strategy, the team will make you feel right at home.

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. 

Tramway Mixer
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce is holding a mixer at the top of the Aerial Tramway. It features raffle prizes, auctions, food stations, and half priced drinks! ($30)

Measure J Oversight Commission
5:30 p.m. | Virtual
This commission meets on the third Thursday of each month to make recommendations to the City Council on use of funds generated through “Measure J,” the 1% tax on sales and transactions. Find the agenda here.

Pet Bereavement Group
6 p.m. | Animal Shelter Community Room
Talking with others who understand the pain and loss can help us heal. Sammy’s Circle is a place of healing and hope for anyone who has lost a beloved animal.

VillageFest
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
Weather permitting, the street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. 

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Library renovation celebration on Saturday
  
• ALL OUT, a summer dance party put on by The LGBTQ+ Center of the Desert on Saturday
  
• Next Gen Care community conversation on HIV prevention innovations on July 22 
  
• Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 15 

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AND FINALLY …

Sometimes even the best-laid plans need a little extra time to get the air conditioning just right, and yesterday we learned that the Palm Springs Public Library is pushing back its temporary relocation due to HVAC improvements needed at its interim home.

Driving the news: The library’s last day of service at its current Sunrise Park location will now be Friday, Aug. 8, rather than the originally planned mid-July closure, with the temporary location at Rimrock Plaza opening Aug. 25.

• The renovation celebration and closing party will still take place as scheduled this Saturday (July 19) from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., giving the community a chance to bid farewell to the library’s 50-year home before it’s transformed into a more modern facility.

Looking ahead: During the transition period when the library is closed for moving, all checkout dates will be extended automatically and patrons are asked to hold onto their items until the temporary location opens.

The silver lining: The Friends of the Palm Springs Library will continue their popular 4-books-for-$1 sales until closing day, though they’re relocating their donation operations to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Ramon Road starting Aug. 11.