Palm Springs leaders will aim to accelerate progress in 2025

Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles is gearing up for a busy 2025, with several major projects set to come to fruition and new initiatives on the horizon.

“We’ve got to keep moving forward in an aggressive way,” Stiles said in a recent interview. “That’s what the community expects.”

Stiles has identified the upcoming two-year budget as a top priority for the city in 2025, emphasizing the need to prioritize projects and resources while maintaining momentum on various initiatives.

The budget process, which Stiles describes as “one of the most important things a city manager does,” will consume much of his focus in the first half of the year.

Among the most anticipated developments is the reopening of the Historic Plaza Theatre, slated for December 2025. The renovation of this downtown landmark has been a priority for the city, with Stiles emphasizing its importance to the community.

“The Plaza Theatre is going to be really exciting when it’s all done,” he said. “It’s going to be a jewel for downtown.”

Early 2025 should see the full opening of the Thompson Hotel, with its second phase completed in January, and March should mark the beginning of major renovations to the city’s library.

Sports enthusiasts can look forward to new pickleball courts, though the timeline and construction approach are still under discussion. Stiles said a decision needs to be made about whether the current courts are fully or partially closed during the expansion project.

Public safety remains a priority, he said, with the city actively exploring locations for a new downtown fire station. Stiles anticipates presenting potential sites to the city council in February, following the completion of a comprehensive fire deployment study.

The navigation center, Palm Springs’ initiative to address homelessness, continues to evolve. Currently housing about 30 people permanently, the center is gradually expanding its services. Stiles envisions further partnerships with local organizations to enhance support for the unhoused community.

“How can we partner? How can the navigation center and Martha’s Village and Kitchen accelerate partnerships with the Mizell Center for meals or other restaurants or organizations that want to provide services for the homeless?” Stiles asked, outlining potential areas for growth.

Economic development is set to take center stage in 2025 as well, with plans to diversify beyond tourism. Wayne Olson, recently appointed to lead economic development efforts, is expected to present a strategic plan in January.

“It’s not just the area up north of Interstate 10,” Stiles explained, referring to development of warehouses in one section of the city. “For example, what does economic development look like around the airport and what can we take advantage of there?”

In an effort led by Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein during his run as mayor, the city is also exploring ways to attract tech industry professionals who might prefer Palm Springs’ lifestyle while maintaining easy access to air travel for business needs.

Downtown improvements should also appear on the City Council agenda, with plans for the convention center and pedestrian mobility to be presented in January. Efforts to optimize existing parking through better signage, lighting, and safety measures are also underway.

Stiles emphasized the need to balance growth with maintaining Palm Springs’ unique character. 

“We’re becoming a little bit of a younger city, a younger region,” he noted. “We’re becoming more year-round than I think we’ve ever been.”

Stiles said his focus, and that of city staff, will be on maintaining momentum and accelerating progress. 

“The challenge is keeping up with everything,” he said. “The only way to do that is to accelerate and step on the gas, try to keep going.”

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THIS WEEK: OUR YEAR END SERIES

MONDAY: Our top 5 stories of 2024, according to the data

TUESDAY: Readers weigh in on their top stories of 2024, predict 2025’s news

WEDNESDAY: Palm Springs in 2024: Leaders look back

TODAY: Palm Springs in 2025: City Hall sets priorities

FRIDAY: Meet our 2024 Palm Springs Person of the Year

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