Palm Springs Moves To Purchase Desert Fashion Plaza

The Palm Springs city council voted unanimously Wednesday to make a conditional offer to Wessman Development, which has owned the Desert Fashion Plaza and Town and Country Center since 2001, to purchase the properties.

In September, the council approved having the properties appraised.

Mayor Steve Pougnet announced that the Desert Fashion Plaza appraised for $15.7 million and the Town and Country Center for $2.3 million.

Pougnet said that including taxes, purchasing the properties would cost the city $50 million.

The city will be holding public workshops in January and February to ask people for ideas on how to raise money for the project and what the Desert Fashion Plaza should look like.

Pougnet said the city would then make an offer to Wessman Development, and whether or not it is accepted, a ballot measure would be presented to the public in June.

The public would be asked to approve a deal if one is reach or if the city should resort to Eminent Domain.