The Dream’s next step ‘extremely unlikely’ in Palm Springs; Mayor Kors provides citywide hotel update

On Monday morning, Palm Springs Mayor Geoff Kors provided an update on hotel projects across the city.

The Facebook post covered five different hotel projects and how frequently updates will be provided on them, and also touched on future regular updates for the Downtown Park project

Of all the projects covered, the timeline on "The Dream", a hotel project under construction near the Palm Springs Convention Center, was the murkiest. Kors noted that the next phase of the project was slated to begin in February, and that said next phase's beginning seemed "extremely unlikely" at this time.

"The developer informed me that they had paid the contractor who built the underground garage (which is completed) but the contractor failed to pay the subcontractors who then put a lien on the project. That has frozen the financing until the legal issues get resolved," read Kors' post. "I will be meeting with the developer this week to discuss next steps. It should be noted that the Dream did put up new fencing to replace the torn and faded fencing that was there at our request. "

Another project in limbo is the Tova. The city sent along letters to the groups behind Tova (1875 N Palm Canyon Dr.) and the Andaz (planned location: 400 N. Palm Canyon Drive.) last month pertaining to each project's "delays and the legal actions we had at our disposal and we're considering under our Vacant Building Ordinance which the Council passed a few years ago,"

The Tova update, from Kors:

"The Tova responded that they were planning to build but provided no specific response as to when. The City Council directed that enforcement action begin against that property which is expected to occur this week. If that is not effective, the City will look at other options including going to Court to address the partially built hotel as a public nuisance. "

According to Tova's website, the hotel's "grand opening" is slated for 2021.

The Andaz, which lists its opening as 'late 2020' on its website, had a more tangible update from Kors:

"The Andaz responded that they had hired a new contractor (they reported legal issues with the last one resulting in financing being held up) and would be moving forward next month and expected that the main construction would be substantially completed in September. "

The Orchid Tree, which will call the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood home, has a mutual understanding with the city about the project moving forward.

Kors, on the Orchid Tree:

"The Orchid Tree (in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood) has agreed to a very tight timeline to get the project constructed and open and will lose their TOT rebate if they miss any deadlines at which point we can go to Court to request the property be put in a receivership. We are finalizing the terms of that agreement and they have already submitted documents to the Planning Department based on the schedule we set. "

Kors wrapped up his update with an excerpt on the Virgin Hotel, which appears to be set for a timeline update in the new year.

"I spoke with the developer of the Virgin Hotel (in the new Downtown Project) who informed me that they are going out to bid and once they obtained the cost of construction, they will decide on next steps. That is expected to occur in February," read Kors' post. "Their next deadline is in 2021 and they have included art on their property to make it more attractive."

Kors also promised that updates will be provided on all major privately-funded projects in the city on a quarterly basis. For the Downtown Park project, updates are expected monthly on the city's website.