Palm Springs Downtown Development project set to open mid-November; city staff tour site

Palm Springs planning commissioners got a first-hand view of what’s to come in the city’s Downtown Renovation project.

“There are going to be some really wonderful views. It was not so nice to see where there won’t be,” Palm Springs planning commissioner Lisa Middleton said.

The tour showcased progress on the construction site after years of delays.

“It has been a long run to get this done, long planning process
but as my son always says proper planning prevents poor performance,” said Michael Braun of Wessman Development.

Commissioners toured through the outside area of the future Kimpton hotel,
Tommy Bahama restaurant, as well as, the city park site. Middleton said more seating needs to be placed where people would want to sit.

“On the west side of the Kimpton and the west side of the other buildings we’re going to need more facilities for the public there and more shade structures on that site. Individuals are going to be attracted to sitting where they can see the mountain,” Middleton said.

Braun said the project got mostly positive feedback. He said if everything goes as planned, the portion of the project on Palm Canyon Drive will be open by mid-November.

“We had a lot of input which we will try to digest. We try to take positive comments and incorporate it into the project as they fit, so it’s very exciting,” Braun said.

Braun said additional storefronts have signed on, those names and their locations will be announced in the next three months. Suggestions from this tour will be taken to the next planning commission meeting on April 26th.