May 5 Daily Briefing: Street realignment starting, patio agreement, student exhibition, and more

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! You may have been a bit surprised to see soggy streets Sunday and still see the wet stuff hanging around today, but fear not: by the end of this week, you may miss the rain. Official measuring meters at the airport recorded .01 of an inch on Sunday and (as of 4 a.m.) show one-tenth of an inch has been recorded today. That’s a little unusual for May, but more normal weather should be here soon. By midweek, we’re expecting highs in the 80s, and on Saturday, we’re back up in the triple digits!

🎶 Setting the mood:  “White Wedding Pt 1” by Billy Idol

LEADING OFF

Traffic shift, lane closures start today for South Palm Canyon Drive bridge project

Major traffic changes are underway on South Palm Canyon Drive as crews begin preparations for the western bridge span demolition scheduled for May 12. 

Driving the news: Starting today, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted to the eastern side of the bridge, with closures expected to last eight to 10 months. Crews will be working weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though lane closures will remain in effect 24/7 throughout the construction period.

• The speed limit has also been reduced to 30 mph, with fines doubled in the construction zone.

Traffic impacts: Left turns at East Sunny Dunes intersection will be prohibited in both directions, with only right turns allowed during construction.

• The western sidewalk will be closed, requiring pedestrians to use the east side of the street.

Public transportation: SunLine bus stops 630 and 492 on Route 1 West Valley near the South Palm Canyon Drive and East Sunny Dunes intersection will be closed for the duration of the project.

• Commuters should check sunline.org for alternative options.

What’s next: Officials urge motorists to use alternate routes, plan ahead for delays, and exercise caution in the construction area.

• Business access will remain open throughout construction.

Stay informed: Residents can receive project updates by visiting this website where you can also sign up for text/email notifications.

• Additional information is available on social media by searching for the @SouthPalmCanyonBridge handles or by calling 760-502-0072.

BRIEFLY

🏛️ City reaches nearly $1M settlement in Plaza Theatre case

Palm Springs officials have settled a legal dispute with Grit Development, agreeing to pay nearly $1 million and build a new outdoor dining patio in exchange for property access rights needed to restore the historic Plaza Theatre. The agreement announced late last week secures a permanent easement on land adjacent to the theater that officials describe as crucial for the restoration project.

• The settlement resolves an eminent domain action filed by the city in December 2024 and Grit’s subsequent cross-complaint claiming inverse condemnation related to the easement and adjacent properties.
  
• As part of the deal, the city will pay Grit $986,500 and construct a new outdoor dining patio for Kalura Trattoria on public sidewalk space, including seating for 60 people, lighting, misting and music systems, along with permanent shade structures.
  
• Up next: City officials said the resolution clears the way for the Plaza Theatre to reopen this fall, when it will “once again host world-class performers and contribute significantly to the vitality of our downtown.”

Dive deeper with our complete story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
9 a.m. | Coachella Valley
The fifth edition of Desert X enters its final week starting today. The international art exhibition has sites across the valley and ends this weekend.

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.

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

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.

Cinco de Mayo at Reforma
6 p.m. | Reforma Palm Springs
Reforma Palm Springs is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with live music as well as $2 tacos and $5 beers. 

Adult Tap Dance Class
6:30 p.m. | Leisure Center Dance Studio
Adult intermediate tap starts at 6:30 p.m., and “absolute beginners” adult tap is at 7:30 p.m. (“Two left feet are optional.”) ($20)

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• Homelessness Town Hall Meeting at the Cultural Center on Tuesday.
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting Thursday. ($17)
  
• Desert X Art Club Student Exhibition at Melissa Morgan Fine Art on Thursday.
  
• Desert Images photography exhibition at Impell Gallery starting Saturday. 
  
• CommUNITY in Recovery – Sunny Dunes Clubhouse 3rd Annual Spring Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Sunday. ($150).
  
• Movies in the Downtown Park: “The Fifth Element” at Downtown Park on May 13.
  
• Joint Valley Chamber Mixer at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 14.
  
• Blue Zones Community Kickoff at Festival Theaters on May 15.
  
• “Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope” at the Cultural Center on May 15.
  
• Movie Night in the Park: “Wicked” at Victoria Park on May 16.
  
• “Veils: A Requiem For Trayvon” film screening at the Cultural Center on May 23. ($18)
  
• Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 26.
  
• 2025 Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week starts May 30.
  
  Submit your event

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AND FINALLY …

As some of you may know, the Desert X Art Exhibition is wrapping up here in Palm Springs and across the Coachella Valley. Don’t be sad, though, because if you still want to “X’plore” your artistic side, the Desert X Art Club 2025 Student Exhibition will be opening its doors this Thursday.

Driving the news: Free and completely open to the public, the artworks were created entirely by students from across the valley, including Palm Springs High School.

More details: The exhibition is housed at Melissa Morgan Fine Art in Palm Desert. Expect to see a variety of media on display, including painting, drawing, sculpture, video, photography, and even site-specific installations.

Dive deeper: The work is a culmination of the work of Desert X Educators who have engaged the students on the themes of Desert X, took them on field trips to see the pieces in real life, met with local artists, and even got them a behind-the-scenes peek at the art at this year’s Coachella Festival.

What they’re saying: “Education has been at the heart of Desert X since our very first exhibition in 2017,” said Desert X Executive Director Jenny Gil. “Through programs like the Desert X Art Club, we’ve been able to empower young people across the Coachella Valley to see themselves as artists, storytellers, and changemakers.”

Bottom line: The opening reception for the exhibition is on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the exhibition will be up through May 21. You can learn more by visiting the gallery’s website here.