In today’s Daily Briefing, we tell you about activity this week at the long-delayed Dream Hotel project, what police plan to do about reckless drivers, and introduce you to our pet of the week.
By Post Staff ● The Daily Briefing ● June 19, 2024
Happy Wednesday!And Happy Juneteenth. For more than one-and-a-half centuries,the Juneteenth holidayhas been sacred to many Black communities. It marks the day in 1865 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas found out they had been freed — after the end of the Civil War, and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. In Palm Springs, the city’s Black History Committee held its annual celebration this past weekend. Check out some of the pictures from the eventhere. Lastly, a reminder: Palm Springs City Hall, the library, and other city services are closed today in celebration of the holiday.
🎶Setting the mood:“AMERIICAN REQUIEM” by Beyoncé
LEADING OFF
Palm Springs police intensify traffic safety measures with ‘Operation Rearview Mirror’
Expect to see more Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) cars on the streets and in your rearview mirror as the department launches its year-long safety initiative targeting the city’s most dangerous driving hotspots.
Driving:Aptly named “Operation Rearview Mirror,” Police Chief Andy Mills announced the aggressive strategy Tuesday morning to enthusiasm from city leaders and from victims of traffic accidents.
By the numbers:Between 2018 and 2023, Mills said 78 people died in traffic collisions on roads inside the city limits. 73% of traffic-related injuries involve local drivers.
- “A civil society cannot allow this to take place,” Mills said. “How is that acceptable in a city our size?”
How it works:The initiative aims to tackle reckless and speedy driving by focusing on the 10 most problematic areas of the city, known for frequent traffic violations. The hotspots stretch from Racquet Club Road to Gene Autry Drive.
- Chief Mills emphasized a strict approach with increased ticketing rather than warnings, hoping to deter dangerous behaviors among local, who are most often at fault in collisions in the city.
In addition:To tackle drunk driving, the effort will also include “Buzz Stops” — locations that bar patrons can walk to in order to be picked up by alternate transportation — and educational materials placed at area bars.
Dive deeper:Ideas for re-engineering traffic hotspots and utilizing technology like speed cameras, which could automatically issue tickets, are also being explored. Traffic safety can also be addressed via road design.
- The most dangerous road in the countryhighlightsall of the worst and most unsafe practices in road design: wide, straight roads that encouragespeedand lack safe crosswalks.
What’s next:The city plans to continue exploring technological solutions and hopes to involve multiple municipal departments in the safety overhaul.
Dive deeper with our complete story here.
BRIEFLY
🚧 Dream Hotel project sees construction activity on site, approval from committee
One year after a compromise was reached allowing the Dream Hotel project near Palm Springs Convention Center to move forward, there’s activity at the building site and at City Hall.
- Construction crews began actively working the site again this week, while the city’s Architectural Review Committee approved final design and landscape plans for the project’s residential portion Tuesday evening.
- A month ago, members of the committee requested more detailed plans from the applicant before they would vote to approve the plan. Since then, city staff have met with the applicant and designers to address some of the biggest concerns, including roof and patio overhangs for increased shade.
- “We’ve tried to be very responsive to all requests,” said Lauri Kibby, the developer. “We’ve responded to everything either by adjusting things, moving trees, looking at fencing, and creating overhangs to the extent that we don’t have to start adding columns and changing the structure.”
Bottom line:Some points of interest are still outstanding for the project that will contain 156 hotel rooms and 69 condominiums, including the addition of entry gates. But none of the outstanding issues will impede the development from continuing.
🔥 Tuscany Fire in Palm Springs nearly contained
A fire that started late Monday morning and quickly spread up a hillside in Palm Springs is nearly contained, officials said Tuesday.
- At one point, the Tuscany Fire had air and ground crews working an area estimated to be roughly 350 acres in the hills to the south of Tramway Road. As of Tuesday evening, that estimate was changed to 126 acres.
- Late Monday evening officials reported the fire was 50% contained. As of the last report Tuesday evening it was more than 90% contained.
- In total, 32 air and truck units worked the operation on Monday, including personnel from Palm Springs Fire Department, Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Palm Springs Police Department, and Desert Water Agency. Two firefighters suffered minor, heat-related injuries.
Bottom line:While the activity is not as visible as it was Monday, crews are still on the scene extinguishing any remaining hot spots.
TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS
Palm Springs International ShortFest
All day | Regal Cinemas Palm Springs
Running through June 24, the Palm Springs International ShortFest is one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America, come enjoy hundreds of shorts from more than 50 countries.Check out the schedule here. ($15)
Speaker Series: “Juneteenth, Food for the Soul”
5:30 p.m. | Mizell Center
Food plays an essential role in many national holidays. Juneteenth is no exception. Soul food has become synonymous with Juneteenth and boasts a rich history that tells the story of an enslaved people. Please join Chefs Betty Berry Smith and Michael Taylor as they examine the sociological and historical context of “soul food”. ($15)
PALS Circle
6 p.m. | Online
Hosted by Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors, this informal drop-in conversation is meant for connection, support, and friendship.
Rock the City: Blue Breeze Band
7 p.m. | Downtown Park
The city’s free concert series returns, playing tonight at the Downtown Park is Motown and R&B band, the Blue Breeze Band.
Summer Cabaret: Leslie Tinnaro
7 p.m. | Coachella Valley Repertory
Leslie has developed several different cabarets incorporating her unique perspective and passion for musical theater and is excited to share her new cabaret “Back to Before”, a personal journey sharing with you some memorable musical moments on and off stage. ($50)
Palm Springs Power Baseball
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
The theme for tonight’s game is “Bark in the Park” featuring a pregame dog parade, treat giveaways, and a visit from Idylywild’s canine Mayor Max. Bring your dog for a fun night of baseball!
SAVE THE DATE
- Red Cross Trainingon Household and Extreme Heat Preparedness on June 25.
- Parks and Recreation Master Planning Workshopat the Demuth Community Center on June 26.
- Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Festat Margaritaville Resort on June 29.
- Palm Springs All American 4th of Julyat Sunrise Park on July 4.
- ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battleat the Palm Springs Cultural Center on July 7.
AND FINALLY …
🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community.
Today we invite you to meet Dodger, a male cat available for adoption at theFrisky Business Cat Cafe.
- Dodger arrived at Frisky Business about a month ago, and he loves to be comfy and snuggle. You really must check out thisadorable videoof dodger “making biscuits.”
If you’re interested:You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. Look for the cafe’s current hourshere.
- All cats available at Frisky Business come fromthe Palm Springs Animal Shelter.They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat.
But wait:Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge byclicking here.
