May 8 Daily Briefing: Updates on Thompson Hotel, latest historic designation, drill at the airport, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone, where we’re here to notify you that if you see lots of activity and emergency vehicles around the airport today, it is only a drill. Airport officials asked that the community be notified that there will be a full-scale emergency exercise starting around 8:30 a.m., including a simulated scenario that will involve a crashed aircraft. The drill, which occurs every three years, is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s expected to end around 12 p.m. 

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Show Me the Right” by NEIL FRANCES

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LEADING OFF

Ocotillo Lodge receives initial approval for historic district designation

The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend the City Council designate the Ocotillo Lodge as a historic district Tuesday evening. The 1957 property was recognized for its architectural significance and ties to notable designers.

Driving the news: Member of the Ocotillo Lodge Owners Association were the driving force behind the application, submitting the property for historic district designation located on East Palm Canyon Drive two years ago. 

• The lodge was originally constructed as a hotel in 1957 and later subdivided into 124 individual condominiums in 1996.

By the numbers: Anthony Vardaro, board president for the Ocotillo Lodge Homeowners Association, told the HSPB during the meeting that the owners took a vote to pursue historic designation, and that they just met the threshold for approving the move. Needing 64 yes votes, the final tally was 64-25-2.

What they’re saying: Vardaro said the historic designation was important to new owners. “We have entered – over the last several years – a new era of ownership where different owners are in the complex because they appreciate the history of it and the architecture of it,” he said.

Why it matters: The Ocotillo Lodge meets several criteria for historic designation, including being an intact example reflecting the local context through its use and design, a work of three master builders of significance (Palmer and Krisel, the Alexander Construction Company, and landscape architect Garrett Eckbo), and a collection of structures that together demonstrate historical significance to the community.

• Board member Janet Hansen remarked on the complex, “In my many decades of preservation experience, I have a technical term I use for properties like this, and it’s called a no-brainer.”

Yes but: Some long-term owners in the complex who spoke at the meeting were concerned the designation would make their properties unaffordable.

• One owner, who said he was a full-time resident since 1996 and living on a fixed income, said the designation would turn the complex into a museum rather than a community, and would attract more Airbnbs to the neighborhood.

What’s next: The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Palm Springs City Council for final approval of the Ocotillo Lodge’s historic district designation.

BRIEFLY

🏨 Thompson Hotel making progress despite labor shortage

The Thompson hotel in downtown Palm Springs is on track for a partial opening by late summer, with construction efforts intensifying to finish the street-side entry and other key areas.

• According to General manager Jeffrey Miller, who spoke to downtown business leaders Tuesday morning, crews are working on laying asphalt and pavers for the sidewalk along Palm Canyon Drive, aiming to clear barricades and push fencing back by the end of the week.
  

• Interior work on new sections of the project is also nearing completion, with sheet rocking underway. Custom-made infills for the garages are expected soon, which will allow for the removal of fencing once the garages are fully enclosed.
  
  
• The hotel is experiencing a retail resurgence, Miller said, with lease discussions for a variety of spaces, including restaurants, a sports retailer, a massage business, and a furniture store. The hotel lobby is finished, and landscaping is being added, along with interior designs.

Yes, but: Despite the progress, the project faces labor shortages. “We have 150 people on site and we should have 300,” Miller said Tuesday. “A lot of labor comes out of LA, and it’s just not enough.” Despite the challenges, Miller expressed commitment to partially opening the hotel this summer.

🚨 Sheriff’s helicopter assists in Palm Springs gun incident

A sheriff’s helicopter was used to search for a suspect who displayed a gun after being asked to leave a business property near the intersection of Sunrise Way and Vista Chino in Palm Springs on Tuesday morning.

• Palm Springs police sent a notification to residents around 9:30 a.m. stating that the helicopter was assisting with an ongoing investigation in the area The incident began when a group of people were allegedly seen loitering near a business and were asked to leave, with one person displaying a gun.
  
  
• According to media reports, officers eventually located and arrested a 32-year-old male near Tahquitz and Avenida Caballeros on suspicion of exhibiting a deadly weapon, possessing unlawful paraphernalia, and a probation violation,

Bottom line: The suspect remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon on a $50,000 bond.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Practice your Mah Jong skills against others. There will be one game set provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own.

Climate Action Subcommittee
5 p.m. | City Hall
This Sustainability Commission subcommittee typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month. An agenda can be found here.

The Mod Squad Variety Show
5 p.m. | The Palm Springs Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of live music at the valley’s “Happiest happy hour!” This week features hosts Jeff Stewart, Francesca Amari, and Wayne Abravanel. ($10)

Chamber of Commerce Annual Joint Mixer
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Air Museum
Every year, all of the Coachella Valley’s chambers of commerce get together for their joint mixer. This year’s event is being held at Palm Springs Air Museum. ($20)

SAVE THE DATE

• Harvey Milk Breakfast on Thursday at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
• Free Dementia Awareness Class at Palm Springs Public Library on May 14. 
• Miralon Blood Drive on May 17. Sign up today!
• Communities’ Finest Dance Showcase on May 18 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
• Community Outreach for Parks and Recreation Master Plan on May 22 at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center.
• Palm Springs Firefighters Association Fish Fry on June 1 at Ruth Hardy Park.
• Palm Springs International ShortFest from June 18 -24.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today we invite you to meet Felicity, a female cat available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe.

• Frisky Business owner Claire Rogers tells us that Felicity came to Frisky Business as a bit of a ‘fraidy cat, but she’s grown into an affectionate love bug. 

If you’re interested: You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. Look for the cafe’s current hours here.

• All cats available at Frisky Business come from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat. 

But wait: Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge by clicking here.