Goal
The goal of Palm Springs Re-Imagined is to provide a forum to display and discuss fresh, creative ideas and solutions for new development in downtown Palm Springs that incorporates, preserves, re-uses, adapts and celebrates the rich diversity of the city’s historical fabric. With increased interest in development, many historical structures (representing all periods and styles) are threatened. Developers, investors, architects, planners, city officials, and, most importantly, the citizens, need to create a shared vision of what is possible.
Background
The entire Coachella Valley has experienced a tremendous amount of growth in recent years and indeed has been one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Large tracts of open desert and agricultural land are being replaced be sprawling housing developments, golf course and resort communities, and commercial projects. Even in previously developed areas, in-fill projects are fast replacing open land. Traffic is noticeably increased. Concern grows regarding infrastructure and water supply.
Palm Springs, at the northwestern end of the valley, has a rich history dating back over one hundred years. Traditionally a resort community, it too is experiencing a wave of new development, coupled with an international media “buzz” about a “newly hip Palm Springs”. Much of this new focus of attention is the downtown area, with its treasure trove of historic structures, particularly its examples of “Mid-Century Modern” architecture.
Downtown
Arrayed in a mostly linear, north-south axis at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, downtown is usually considered to be the area between Ramon Road to the south, and Alejo Road at the north. The principal commercial arteries are Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive, which run parallel and one block apart. The area to the east of these streets, all the way to Sunrise Way, is home to the Agua Caliente Casino and Spa Hotel, the city’s Convention Center, and numerous hotel and condominium projects. It is in this section of the City, because of a separate master plan initiated with the Cahuilla tribe, that higher buildings (up to one hundred feet) on larger parcels are allowed. Accordingly, an expanded Casino and Spa Hotel, a Hard Rock Hotel, and a Mondrian Hotel, are in the planning stages in this area. These taller buildings, and other multi-story projects being proposed downtown, are encountering resistance from some in the community. Many feel that the “village atmosphere” is being compromised and threatened, and views of the beloved mountains blocked.
In July 2005, the City of Palm Springs adopted the “Interim Downtown Urban Design Plan” to function as a guide for development in the core area. Significant in the document are height limits, density “nodes”, streetscape and landscaping concepts, and building massing strategies. Because of the length of the downtown corridor, the document recommends the creation of a “southern gateway” project on the north side of Ramon Road, between Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive, and a corresponding “northern gateway” just south of Alejo Road. Both projects, which are mixed-use commercial/residential structures, have been designed and approved by the City. (The northern gateway project, “Port Lawrence”, is currently under construction.)
At the “crossroads” of downtown, Tahquitz Canyon Drive at Palm Canyon Drive, a major “hub” is intended. Currently, much of this prime area is occupied by the vacant “Desert Fashion Plaza” shopping center, a typical (and outdated) enclosed retail mall. This building, and much of the adjacent land, is owned by Wessman Development, which is proposing a major, mixed-use commercial/residential project, dubbed “Museum Market Plaza”. The project will return much of the former street grid, and perhaps more importantly, creates part of an intended link between the Palm Springs Art Museum at the base of the mountain and the convention center to the east. Unfortunately, the historic “Town and Country Center”, designed by A. Quincy Jones and Paul R. Williams in 1947, is threatened by the Museum Market Plaza project. It is this potential loss of an important building and courtyard space that led to Palm Springs Re-Imagined.
What can you do?
Palm Springs Re-Imagined is not a “competition”, but rather a chance to brainstorm. It is intentionally open-ended. Participants may wish to address the entire downtown area, suggesting an overall policy, a design vocabulary, a strategy for housing. Alternately, one could focus on the actual design of single buildings, either as a typology, or for a specific site.
Parks and open space are becoming more precious in Palm Springs, a community known for the seamlessness of an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. What might be some bold strategies for open space? How can the city truly celebrate its location at the base of the mountains? How might intimate park spaces, courtyards, and pedestrian paseos be woven into the downtown fabric?
How might housing of all types (and price levels) be introduced to ensure that downtown is a vital, diverse community, a true village?
How can new buildings and landscape take advantage of creative, intelligent design to more fully respond to the desert climate? What elements of a more sustainable, “greener” philosophy should the City of Palm Springs adopt?
How can artwork, graphics, color and pattern be used to energize the built environment and further the image of Palm Springs as being in the forefront of design?
What are some creative ideas for transportation and movement (pedestrians, bicycles, automobiles, alternative vehicles, service vehicles)? How can parking areas be unobtrusively added?
And, perhaps most importantly, how we can preserve as much of our historic fabric as possible?
Format
Presentation materials of all types will be accepted; there is no standard size or medium.
EVENT UPDATE: The Palm Springs Re-Imagined event has been moved to February 23 to coincide with the desert's popular Modernism Week, thereby assuring the participating architects and designers a wider audience for their work. The new date also allows our Palm Springs Preservation Foundation members a chance to participate in this important exhibition. Entries will be accepted up to January 15, 2008.
Currently, plans are to have the Palm Springs Re-Imagined event in one of the gallery spaces at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Wall space may be at a premium, so any two-dimensional images will need to be mounted on panels (such as FoamCor) for use with easels. Models would be welcomed. Video/computer presentations (via monitors provided by PSPF) may be an effective way for some participants to submit their ideas. Tabletop areas may be used for some smaller displays. The intent is not to limit your creativity; it is your brilliant ideas that we are interested in.
Please plan on joining us, and leading downtown Palm Springs to an enlightened future!
For further details contact Doug Hudson at doughud@aol.com
To learn more about Palm Springs architecture click on the Class One Historical Site Self Tour
If you would like to sign up for this event, please submit the following information:
- Your Name
- Your Firm
- Your Address
- Your Phone(s)
- Your E-mail Address
A nominal entrance fee of $100 ($50 for students) check made out to:
Palm Springs Preservation Foundation
Mail to:
Palm Springs Re-Imagined
c/o Season in the Sun Magazine
PO Box 536
Palm Desert, CA 92261
Submittals due by January 15, 2007. Send all material to the above address.
Palm Springs General Plan Update Project
The City of Palm Springs has embarked upon an exciting new process that will shape the city's future! It has developed a vision that will guide future development and the city's growth over the next twenty years or so. Use this website as a tool to participate in the planning process!
Vist their site at: Palm Springs General Plan Update Project
Palm Springs Interim Downtown Urban Design Guidelines
This document is in PDF format and will need to be viewed utilizing Adobe Acrobat Reader.
View this document here .
