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Friday, Oct. 25 | 🌤️ 74°/57°
Happy Friday, everyone! One of the desert’s most fun and colorful events returns to the city on Sunday, when scores of decorated carts, floats and marching bands will roll down El Paseo for the annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade. The parade steps off at 12 p.m. following a flyover by the Palm Springs Air Museum. But you’ll want to come early for the Palm Desert Rotary’s Pancake Breakfast at 8 a.m., sponsor and vendor booths at 9 a.m. and the classic car show. You should also plan to bring the kids for the Kid’s Play Zone.
🎶 Setting the mood: "A Fine day for a Parade" by Fountains of Wayne
Leading Off
The City Council on Thursday voted to pursue a long-term lease agreement with College of the Desert for the city’s library. (File photo)
City Council opts to pursue long-term library at COD
The Palm Desert City Council voted 4-1 Thursday, with Councilmember Jan Harnik dissenting, to pursue a long-term arrangement to keep the city library at College of the Desert rather than build a new one on the former Parkview Office Building site.
Driving the news: The direction is preliminary, with no contract or funding requested. Staff will assess the building, negotiate terms and return for formal action, likely in a few months, Senior Project Manager Ryan Lamb said.
The city’s lease on about 21,000 square feet expires June 30, 2029, and the college had said it wanted the whole building afterward.
By the numbers: A new library would cost an estimated $45 million, Lamb said. Renovating the current space and replacing its aging HVAC system is estimated at $24 million, or $20.5 million if the college splits the $7 million HVAC cost.
The approved budget is $30 million; staff said $37.5 million is available.
What they’re saying: Mayor Evan Trubee said a new building would commit the city to a guaranteed maximum price not yet known, while a renovation would let the council control spending.
Councilmember Karina Moreno said staying would keep the Parkview site open for other uses. “If we build that building, we won’t get a chance to come back and say we should have put something else there,” she said.
What’s next: Work at the college would go through the Division of State Architect. Lease talks have covered at least 50 years, City Manager Chris Escobedo said.
Briefly
An early rendering of what a planned medical office facility could look like at the southwest corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Technology Drive.
🏥 Commission extends medical office park approvals
The Palm Desert Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a second one-year extension for the University Medical Office Park, keeping approvals valid through Oct. 26, 2027, as developers weigh changing market conditions and health care industry developments. The vote was 4-0, with Chair John Greenwood recusing himself because his firm represents the applicant.
The City Council approved the 114,700-square-foot project in October 2023 for the southwest corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Technology Drive. A representative of the applicant said the health care company remains committed but is busy with its acquisition of Desert Hospital and tenant search.
Bottom line: Planning Manager Cynthia Schultz said no changes are proposed, and the extension does not authorize modifications to the approved development.
A MESSAGE FROM
DESERT WILDLIFE CENTER
Join us for an evening of food, music, and community in support of the Desert Wildlife Center. Learn about the Center's vital work caring for local wildlife and its impact throughout our region, with opportunities to support the future of wildlife care. This event is free.
📅 Featured Events
MULTIPLE DAYS
Juliet at McCallum Theatre ($64)
SATURDAY
College of the Desert Street Fair at 8 a.m.
C!RCA DUCKPOND at McCallum Theatre at 2 p.m. ($49)
Teentober at Palm Desert Library at 4 p.m.
Dance to Make a Difference at Civic Center Park at 5 p.m. ($25–$50)
Johnny Meza Latin Band at Casuelas Cafe at 6:30 p.m.
YMCA Howl at the Moon 5k at 7 p.m.
Observatory Public Exploration Night at 8 p.m.
SUNDAY
62nd Annual Golf Cart Parade along El Paseo at 12 p.m.
Megan Hilty at McCallum Theatre at 2 p.m. ($65)
TUESDAY
Architectural Review Commission at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall
Slim Man at Vicky's of Santa Fe at 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Historic Preservation Committee at 9 a.m. at City Hall
Gatherings: Tin Full of Hope with Judy Nemer Sklar at Artists Center at the Galen at 10 a.m. ($26–$60)
Iyengar Yoga for Healthy Aging - A Gentle Yoga for Older Adults at 73875 Highway 111 at 10 a.m.
THURSDAY
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10–$20)
Madonna Dance Party at La Fe Wine Bar at 6 p.m. ($30)
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Find fall fares that fit
Cool air, colorful leaves or a whole new city skyline: There's still time to book your fall escape with Alaska Airlines. Watch the aspens turn golden in Denver, catch a set on Broadway in Nashville, or trade sweaters for sunshine in Palm Springs.
Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
✨ And Finally …
The community is invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument this morning. (Photo: Bureau of Land Management)
The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument turns 25 this week, and the party is open to anyone who can handle a morning hike (or a morning talk about native plants).
Driving the news: Friends of the Desert Mountains and its partners will hold a free public celebration today at the monument’s Visitor Center on Highway 74 in Palm Desert. The event begins at 8:30 a.m., and admission and parking are free.
Former Rep. Mary Bono, Palm Desert Mayor Evan Trubee and former monument manager Jim Foote are scheduled to take part.
The activities: Two docent-led hikes depart at 8:30 a.m., one through Carrizo Canyon and the other from Dead Indian Canyon to the oasis. Both are rated moderate and cover about 2.5 to 3 miles. Advance registration is required.
The talks: Each 30-minute program at the Visitor Center begins on the hour.
Wildlife and ecology in palm oases at 9 a.m., native plants for home gardens at 11 a.m., and recreation in the monument at noon. Monument Manager Dani Ortiz presents “Monument in Your Backyard” at 10 a.m.
Looking back: Congress established the monument on Oct. 24, 2000. It protects about 280,000 acres of desert lowlands, palm oases, canyons and mountain forests.
Hike registration and event information are available at DesertMountains.org.
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