Palm Springs, Wessman Agree To Partnership On Desert Fashion Plaza

The City of Palm Springs and Wessman Development have shaken hands on a deal that could see a major demolition in part of downtown. Mayor Steve Pougnet announced on Tuesday.

In his State of the City Address, the mayor told the audience he, council member Chris Mills and the Wessman team had a long meeting on Monday night, where Wessman agreed to sign an “Ownership Participation Agreement” on the Desert Fashion Plaza by Aug. 1.

The agreement would make the site a public/private partnership.

The Desert Fashion Plaza, which sits along Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of downtown, has been mostly vacant for years. The doors to the inside mall portion are padlocked.

Pougnet said the city will put a measure on the November ballot asking residents to approve an increase in taxes to help pay for the construction of a replacement project. If approved, “a significant demolition” would happen within 45 days of the election.

Wessman and his vice president Michael Braun planned to be at Wednesday’s final public meeting designed to get input on what sould replace the Desert Fashion Plaza.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 in the Primrose Room at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros.