Nov. 14 Daily Briefing: Bogert statue’s next move, swim center contract, latest historic buildings, and more

TGIF, folks, where we are counting our lucky stars the weather expected this weekend didn’t happen last weekend during Pride! Yesterday, we told you about the postponement of the Filipino Festival planned for Saturday (it’s now scheduled for Nov. 22). Today we need to inform you that the weekly Saturday farmers market at the Cultural Center has been canceled tomorrow. It’s all due to heavy rainfall that’s expected starting today. If you’re looking for something to do indoors, we suggest participating in the Palm Springs Sunup Rotary holiday blood drive on Saturday. Last time we checked, there were still some slots open.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Here Comes The Rain Again” by Eurythmics

LEADING OFF

Bogert statue could find new home in Village Green

Acting on a years-old promise, Mayor Ron deHarte asked the City Council on Wednesday to support moving the controversial Frank Bogert statue to the Village Green downtown. The Palm Springs Historical Society has offered to handle the details.

Looking back: The bronze statue of the former mayor on horseback was removed from City Hall in 2022 after a Human Rights Commission report linked Bogert to the forced evictions of Section 14 residents in the late 1960s.

Driving the news: Historical Society President Tracy Conrad wrote to Public Arts Commission Chair Gary Armstrong offering to assume full responsibility for transporting, installing, and maintaining the statue at Village Green.

• The historic site at 221 South Palm Canyon Drive includes the McCallum Adobe and Ruddy’s General Store.

The backdrop: The statue was gifted to the city by residents and accepted by ordinance in 1990. Created by Mexican sculptor Raymundo Cobo Reyes, it remains part of the city’s public art collection overseen by the Public Arts Commission.

Where it stands: Three councilmembers — Jeffrey Bernstein, David Ready and Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto — indicated support for the proposal during Wednesday’s meeting.

What’s next: City Manager Scott Stiles said he will discuss the matter with the Public Arts Commission chair.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏊 Swim center overhaul design contract approved

• Palm Springs City Council approved a $700,000 design contract Wednesday for the construction documents related to the renovation of the city’s swim center. The project originated in 2021 with Measure J funding requests for locker room renovations but grew after staff and community members identified broader needs. 
  
• The renovation will add office space for lifeguards, construct new locker rooms including all-gender facilities, and eliminate accessibility barriers that currently force wheelchair users to navigate through the lifeguard office and men’s locker room to reach the pool deck.
  
• Details: One resident, retired engineering firm principal Jeff Nelson, submitted a letter urging rejection of the proposal, calling it excessive after 2.5 years of design fees and suggesting the city demolish and rebuild instead. City Engineer Joel Montalvo defended the costs as standard for projects involving existing structures, noting the additional testing and analysis required when renovating older facilities.
  
  Dive deeper with our complete story

YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• INCLUSION Art Show at the Desert Art Center all weekend
  
• Mid-Century Magic at Rubine Gallery Friday and Saturday
  
• West Side Story – A Gala Celebration at Dezart Playhouse Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. ($187)
  
• The Black Market Trust at The Purple Room Supper Club Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. ($56)
  
• Rent at the Revolution Stage Company Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. ($33)
  
• Priscilla: Queen of the Desert at the Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend ($20)

TODAY

• Karen and Tony Barone Walk of Stars Dedication at the Forever Marilyn Statue at 3:30 p.m.
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m. (weather permitting)
  
• Viva Variaté – Tommi Rose’s Grand Farewell Show! at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs at 7 p.m. ($22)

SATURDAY

• Community Cleanup at Tahquitz Creek Foot Bridge at 8 a.m. (weather permitting)
  
• Real Talk, Real Health Wellness Preview at Renaissance Palm Springs at 9 a.m.
  
• Holiday Blood Drive at the Doubletree at 10 a.m.
  
• Section 14 Survivors Anniversary Summit at St. Paul in the Desert Church at 10 a.m.
  
• Lucie Arnaz “Lucy and Desi: The Love Letters” Book signing at Just Fabulous at 1 p.m.
  
• Savage Skies, Emerald Hell by Jay Stout at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 1 p.m.
  
• Emo Night Sing & Paint at Canvas Palm Springs at 6 p.m. ($40)
  
• Melvyn’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Melvyn’s at the Ingleside Estate at 6 p.m. ($82)

SUNDAY

• The Wisdom of Music feat. Rabbi David at Gre Records & Coffee at 4 p.m.
  
• Elvis: The Early Years at The Purple Room Supper Club at 5 p.m. ($40)
  
• Gregory Douglas at the Revolution Stage Company at 7 p.m. ($33)

AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs added two midcentury properties to its roster of Class 1 Historic Sites on Wednesday, recognizing a modernist residence redesigned by William Cody and one of the city’s few surviving commercial arcade buildings.

Driving the news: The Palm Springs City Council approved historic designations for the Cullerton Chadwick residence at 572 West Santa Elena Road and the Rubin Building at 457 North Palm Canyon Drive.

The properties: The Cullerton Chadwick residence, originally built in 1947, was completely redesigned by Cody in 1961, blending California ranch style with modernism.

• The Rubin Building, completed in 1946, features ground-level storefronts within an open arcade with residential units above—a rare architectural type that survives in its original state.

What they’re saying: Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein praised the historic documentation prepared by Steven Keylon.

• “I love reading these historic documents on the history of the owners,” he said. “It’s very interesting, and I encourage people to read this for the history of Palm Springs.”

Bottom line: Both designations were requested by the property owners and approved with no opposition.