Officials warn of flash flooding risk at Desert X exhibit on Indian Canyon Dr.
Officials at Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) warned of possible flash flooding risks at a Desert X site on Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
As another storm moves in, they say the augmented reality exhibit, ‘Revolutions,’ is built on a floodplain that’s designed to safely move water flowing off the mountains.
“In the event of a heavy rain, such as that predicted this week, parking and/or standing at that site is extremely dangerous,” a CVWD press release says.
The art exhibit is located on land owned by CVWD.
Desert X was in talks with CVWD to obtain a use permit for the exhibit, but officials from the water district say that request was denied due to the safety issues that area is prone to. A CVWD official says Desert X put the exhibit up without receiving permission.
CVWD officials say they attempted to work with Desert X and the City of Palm Springs, following the permit denial to allow the exhibit at a nearby site, but Desert X was unresponsive to that offer.
“We support Desert X and their mission,” said CVWD spokeswoman Katie Evans. “We believe what they do has tremendous value to our community, however it is imperative that they operate safely. Placing an exhibit in a floodplain and encouraging people to stop there is extremely dangerous and we cannot allow it.”
Jenny Gil Schmitz, executive director of Desert X, released a statement on behalf of the Desert X.
“Desert X has been working with CVWD in order to obtain the necessary permits for the augmented reality project that is to be viewed off North Indian Canyon Dr. We were advised late last week that the permitting process would take longer than expected and we were recommended to move the viewing of this artwork by the Parking lot of the Amtrak train station further north. We have taken all of the necessary measures in order to follow these recommendations in a timely manner and wish to continue working in collaboration with the CVWD and all other agencies in order to insure the best experience for Desert X visitors.”
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