Palm Springs mayor touts economic growth, unveils future projects in State of the City address

Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein delivered an upbeat State of the City address Wednesday evening, highlighting economic growth while outlining ambitious plans for the future, which include “a vibrant, connected, shaded experience” between the convention center, hotels, and downtown.

During a 30-minute speech at the Palm Springs Art Museum, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Bernstein emphasized the city’s robust economic performance, noting that despite concerns about a potential recession, Palm Springs has seen significant gains compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“If you look at the numbers compared to 2019, pre-Covid, we are 30 to 40% ahead,” Bernstein said. He pointed to strong property tax revenue, transient occupancy tax, and sales tax as indicators of the city’s financial health.

The mayor showcased several major projects and developments that have recently come to fruition or are in progress. Among them is the long-awaited Thompson Hotel, featuring 168 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

He also touted the recent agreement signed with College of the Desert as part of the effort to build a $405 million campus, set to break ground in November and open in 2027. The campus will offer programs in hospitality, culinary arts, and media, with plans to include two bachelor’s degree programs.

“I believe that this college is not just going to be a community college, it will actually be a destination college,” Bernstein said.

The mayor highlighted the city’s efforts in addressing homelessness, including the opening of a navigation center with 80 modular housing units and comprehensive services for unhoused residents.

He also touched on healthcare developments, mentioning expansions and investments by Desert Regional Hospital, Eisenhower Medical Center, and DAP Health.

A major focus of the address was the proposed $2.2 billion expansion of Palm Springs International Airport, which Bernstein described as “the largest capital project the Coachella Valley has ever done.”

The mayor closed by unveiling the vision for a significant upgrade to the city’s convention center and surrounding area. The project aims to create a more walkable, vibrant downtown environment.

“Our convention center is surrounded by the hotels. It has lots of local businesses, but it’s just not quite there yet,” Bernstein said. He outlined plans to add shade, artwork, wayfinding, and street performances to enhance the area.

Bernstein emphasized the potential of this development to expand the downtown area from “Alejo to Tahquitz, Caballeros to Palm Canyon,” creating a cohesive, walkable district that includes hotels, attractions, and local businesses.

“This will actually bridge the gap from downtown to uptown, creating a more walkable, vibrant commercial center to our city,” Bernstein said.

The mayor also highlighted the city’s diverse cultural offerings, including multiple film festivals, live music venues, galleries, and major events like Pride and Modernism Week.

“We are actually an arts and culture destination and we need to dig into that like other cities do, because I believe that is a great way to our economic future,” Bernstein said.

Looking ahead, Bernstein expressed optimism about Palm Springs’ future, citing ongoing projects such as the Plaza Theatre restoration and the upcoming Dream Hotel, which is set to finally break ground in December.

“Things are pretty bright right now, but our future is pretty bright going forward,” Bernstein concluded.

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