March 10 Daily Briefing: Housing report, preserve settlement, our latest Profiles, and more

Happy Monday, everyone, where we aren’t going to remind you to change your clocks, but we do want to remind you of some possible traffic issues starting today. While the backups associated with the Highway 111 project seem to have been mitigated due to construction moving to nights, motorists may not be so fortunate with the work that begins today to replace a bridge over South Palm Canyon Drive. So, be aware that there might be a squeeze in a very busy part of the city near Tahquitz Creek. Find all the details here. 

🎶 Setting the mood:  “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore

LEADING OFF

Housing market sees positive trend with faster sales, stable prices

The Palm Springs housing market is showing signs of improvement according to the latest Greater Palm Springs Realtors Desert Housing Report for February, with faster selling times, stabilizing prices, and continued strong sales activity compared to late 2024.

Driving the news: Palm Springs homes are now selling more quickly, with the median “days in the market” decreasing to 43 days last month. This places Palm Springs among the cities with the fastest-selling homes in the Coachella Valley.

By the numbers: The average-size detached home in Palm Springs (2,175 sq ft) is now selling for $1,234,574, representing a modest 3.3% year-over-year decrease. 

Market dynamics: Palm Springs continues to maintain its position as the city with the second-highest sales volume in the Coachella Valley with 111 units sold (three-month average). 

• Housing inventory in Palm Springs has increased to 800 units as of March 1st, up from 607 at the same time last year. 

The big picture: The overall Coachella Valley housing market is showing gradual improvement, with regional sales now running 20.8% below normal levels, compared to 23% below normal in February of last year. 

What’s next: With the Federal Reserve lowering short-term interest rates, Palm Springs homeowners and buyers should monitor how this affects long-term mortgage rates, which could potentially boost sales activity if they decline significantly in the coming months.

BRIEFLY

⚖️ Mesquite HOA approves settlement with OLT

The Mesquite Country Club Homeowners Association board has approved a settlement agreement with Oswit Land Trust (OLT) over the Prescott Preserve, possibly clearing the way for the preservation organization to receive a crucial state grant.

• Under the agreement laid out in a letter to property owners sent last week, the HOA will take control of land that includes five tennis courts which they can maintain and potentially convert to pickleball courts. Property owners will also receive a perpetual easement on OLT-owned property to prevent any future development. 
  
• The settlement requires the HOA to pay OLT $7,500 monthly, a rate that won’t increase through the remaining lease term. Additional terms include OLT developing a 30-foot buffer south of an existing bike path.
  
• Bottom line: The HOA has also committed to issuing a letter to the California Wildlife Conservation Board, which had been considering a $7.2 million grant to assist in turning the former golf course land into a preserve prior to a lawsuit filed by the HOA in 2022. Settlement of the lawsuit was announced last November.

📣 Hundreds gather for Women’s Day protest

Hundreds of people assembled in Downtown Palm Springs on Saturday for a peaceful protest on International Women’s Day that was organized by local groups Courageous Resistance and Indivisible of the Desert.

• Event coordinator Emily Vogt reported that over 800 people participated in the demonstration held at Downtown Park. “Women’s rights are human rights, and we’re not going to stand down on this… and we will stand against the current administration if we have to,” Vogt said.
  
• Bottom line: Vogt said the protest remained peaceful throughout, and organizers hope to host similar events in the future.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

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)

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, register online here.

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• Into the Abstrakt 2025 Spring Exhibition Opening at Janssen Artspace on Friday.
  
• Movies in the Park: “Hook” at Downtown Park on March 18. 
  
• Palm Springs Drone Fest at Palm Springs High School starting March 21. ($25)
  
• Brothers of the Desert 6th Annual Wellness Summit at the Riviera Resort on March 22. ($25 suggested donation)
  
• Palm Springs 70mm Film Fest at the Cultural Center starting March 22. ($18)
  
• Rescheduled: AbbaFab Rock the Park Concert at Downtown Park on March 26.
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Annual Scholarship Event Dinner at Palm Springs Surf Club on March 26. ($125)
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 5.
  
• World Art Day at Demuth Park on April 12.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert” starting April 24.
  
  Submit your event

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AND FINALLY …

If you didn’t catch our latest edition of Palm Springs Profiles in your inbox Sunday, we’d encourage you to go read it (or click on the link below)

Zoom in: Shamora Wright, founder of The Black Wellness Club, is transforming Palm Springs’ wellness landscape. Her transition from esthetician to community health champion addresses critical health disparities in the local Black community.

Driving the news: Wright launched the club on March 1, offering free wellness services and outdoor activities to promote physical and mental well-being among Black residents.

• The initiative includes “Black Women Hike,” a bimonthly event series that began last Saturday at the Araby Trailhead.

Why it matters: Originally from Palm Springs,Wright’s efforts respond to the Black community’s health challenges, exacerbated by COVID-19 and a lack of accessible wellness resources.

• Her personal experiences, including her father’s passing, sparked an urgency to prioritize health in her community.

What they’re saying: Wright says all are welcome, “If you support Black women, and you support being healthy, and you want to get out into nature, then please come out, work out with us. Be out in nature with us.”

What’s next: Wright plans to host a series of upcoming events, including the next Black Women Hike at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on March 15. 

Read Maggie Miles’ full profile here.