Oct. 1 Daily Briefing: Orchid Tree default notice, L-Fund merger talk, new police substation, and more

Welcome to October, where the weather may be cooling (slightly), but road construction is still the hottest game in town. Starting at 6 p.m. this evening, crews will be closing lanes on northbound Palm Canyon Drive near Yorba Road and eastbound Vista Chino (both at Indian Canyon Drive and near Via Roberto Miguel) until 6 a.m. as they wrap up the SR111 project. Plus, northbound Indian Canyon Drive between Corozon Avenue and Sunrise Parkway is closing for three months starting today for sewer system installation, with traffic being diverted into a southbound lane. Remember to slow down in the construction zones!

🎶 Setting the mood: “I like it” by Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin

LEADING OFF

City issues default notice to Orchid Tree Hotel developer

The city of Palm Springs has issued a notice of default to the developer of the long-stalled Orchid Tree Hotel project after the developer failed to meet three required milestones by an Aug. 23 deadline.

Driving the news: City Attorney Jeff Ballinger sent the notice Friday to Richard Weintraub, general manager of three LLCs behind the project, citing failures under an operations covenant agreement approved in April.

• According to the letter, the planning application was incomplete, fees remain unpaid despite a Sept. 4 invoice, and no structural stabilization work has been done on the site.

Why it matters: The 3.6-acre property at West Baristo and South Belardo roads has sat vacant for 17 years, becoming a symbol of stalled development in the city.

The big picture: The current plan calls for a 72-room luxury hotel with restored historic bungalows, 16 residential condominiums, spa facilities and dining options.

• The agreement includes a tax incentive offering a 75% rebate of transient occupancy taxes for 30 years or until $50 million is rebated, whichever comes first.

What’s next: Weintraub has 30 days from Sept. 26 to satisfy the three conditions. Planning staff will reach out to discuss the application.

• The project must be fully completed by the end of 2027 to qualify for the tax incentive.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🏳️‍🌈 L-Fund exploring merger with The Center, seeks input

• The L-Fund is in discussions with the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert about a possible merger after 13 years of serving lesbians in the local community with a small board and no paid staff.
  
• The organization has approached The Center as community needs continue to grow and demands increase, requiring more infrastructure and skills to maintain long-term stability for its programs.
  
• Details: Two town halls will allow community input on the potential merger — a virtual meeting tonight at 5 p.m. via Zoom and an in-person session Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. at Palm Springs Cultural Center. Questions can be sent to info@lfund.org.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Pre-shredding drop off
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. | Inside City Hall
For those who are unable to make the Saturday free shredding event at the convention center, you are invited to drop off your materials for shredding from Monday through Thursday inside Palm Springs City Hall from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Sunshine Sisters Breakfast
8 a.m. | Rick’s Restaurant
Start the day with other Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters with breakfast and conversation.

Yoga With Mariana
9 a.m. | Palm Springs Leisure Center
The perfect way to recharge your body, mind, and spirit for much less than the big studios. ($12)

Water Aerobics
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Swim Center
Get some low-impact exercise at the swim center every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday with instructor Donna Newton! ($5)

Over the Hump Flights
6 p.m. | PS Air Bar
Every Wednesday, PS Air bar presents Over the Hump Flights, featuring live music by the incomparable Tod Macofsky. Buckle up for a night of nostalgia, flair, and feel-good tunes.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• WALLSPACE October Modernism Exhibition at Janssen Artspace starting Friday
  
• “Do You Remember?” screening with Clive Davis and Barry Manilow on Friday
  
• Free shredding event on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the convention center
  
• Blue Zones Palm Springs Well-Being Festival on Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
  
• Book launch: Tu-Tu and the Lizard’s Great Escape by local author Charlie Ervin Saturday at 2 p.m.
  
• One Night Out Paris benefitting The Foundation for PSUSD on Saturday 
  
• Junior Ranger Expo at Indian Canyons on Oct. 11
  
• Architectural Preservation Awards on Oct. 11
  
• Modernism Week October starting Oct. 16
  
• Pride on the Page on Nov. 1

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Police Department opened its new substation at Downtown Park Tuesday evening, bringing officers back to the heart of the city after the facility sat largely unused since its construction during the pandemic.

Why it matters: While it may not rival a superhero’s headquarters, the modest station aims to restore the community policing approach that downtown merchants and residents once enjoyed.

Zoom in: The substation will operate Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., housing the department’s homeless outreach team, mental health clinicians, and code enforcement officers under one roof.

• Hours may expand based on community response.

Looking back: The facility was built in 2020 but remained empty for years due to staffing shortages and shifting priorities. The revival came after Cathy Mills, wife of Police Chief Andy Mills, looked at vacant building with Lt. Mike Torres and asked a simple question: “How do we really get back to the community?”

What they’re saying: Torres said downtown merchants have enthusiastically welcomed the renewed police presence, recalling the days when officers patrolled the area on bikes and knew business owners by name. 

• “We really want to keep that instant relationship with our people,” Torres said. “We want them to know us on a first-name basis.”
  
• Mayor Ron deHarte called the reopening one more demonstration of the department adapting to community needs.”

Dive deeper with our complete story