Palm Springs City Council approves $109,000 for Pride flagpole in Arenas District

The Palm Springs City Council voted Monday evening to approve a $109,473 project to install a landmark Pride flagpole in the Arenas District through a partnership with Greater Palm Springs Pride.

The 65-foot flagpole will be located on the southwest corner of Arenas Road and Indian Canyon Drive on city-owned property at the entrance to the Arenas Business District. Greater Palm Springs Pride will contribute $75,000 toward the project cost, with the city’s Economic Development Office covering the remaining $34,000.

“This flagpole is more than metal and fabric. It’s a monument to visibility, resilience and pride,” said Mitchell Battersby, director of volunteers for Palm Springs Pride, during public comment. “For decades, Palm Springs has been a safe haven, a place of celebration and a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ community from around the world.”

Under a proposed 30-year license agreement, Greater Palm Springs Pride will pay the city $75,000 upfront and $1 annually in subsequent years. The organization will handle operation and maintenance of the flagpole, including flag purchases, raising and lowering operations, and annual maintenance inspections.

Wayne Olson, the city’s chief economic development officer, said the fully loaded cost includes the flagpole base, assembly, lighting and other materials required for safe installation. The bid is valid for 120 days, and the aspirational goal is to complete installation in time for upcoming late fall LGBTQ+ events.

“The emerging economic development Strategic Plan identifies targeting LGBTQIA tourism and business events as part of our marketing efforts,” Olson said, explaining why the Economic Development Office is funding the city’s portion.

Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein expressed support for the project, saying investing in the LGBTQ+ community has economic benefits for the city.

“Our morals and our meaning of our city actually has an economic impact on it,” Bernstein said.

The license agreement includes a proposed flag policy specific to the flagpole and requires Pride to maintain liability insurance. If the city exercises a 30-day termination clause, Pride would receive pro rata reimbursement of approximately $280 per month for any remaining term.

The Arenas Business District, which was the first certified under the city’s Commercial District Program, has discussed various improvements including bistro lighting, shade structures, banners and gateway archways.

Former councilmember and mayor Lisa Middleton, speaking in support of the project, compared the planned flagpole to the landmark Pride flag at Castro Street and Market Street in San Francisco, saying it provided a sense of welcome and community year-round.

“We have an opportunity to do the same thing here in Palm Springs,” she said.

---