Palm Springs Plaza Fever
Palm Springs, California. The ink was barely dry on the Palm Springs city council's newly adopted 1% Sales Tax Ordinance before proponents rushed to lend their support. First out the door was The Desert Sun newspaper with an editorial designed to please their business advertisers. The local Chamber of Commerce and the Palm Springs Hospitality Association were followed by Main Street Palm Springs merchants in the rush of endorsements. No group seriously bothered to seek or hear views of those with opposite perspectives. The reason for this rush to the head of the endorsement line was the Desert Fashion Plaza. The privately owned plaza stands to benefit from approximately $45 million if voters approve the 1% Sales Tax in November.
Desert Fashion Plaza has been a near-vacant eyesore in the heart of downtown Palm Springs for more than a decade. Over the years the owner has hinted, discussed, negotiated and almost promised that plaza development was under active consideration. However, progress, in terms of something actually happening, didn't! When the city council decided the developer needed financial help they realized that giving him some taxpayer money was a great solution (sort of a reverse Robin Hood approach). Someone came up with $45 million as a good figure - and to fund it with a new half percent sales tax. That was later changed to 1% when City Hall realized a bigger tax rate would be a good way to raise funds for restoration of budget cuts, salaries, etc. Those endorsing the measure probably would not have balked had the tax rate been even greater for the only issue of concern to them was the promised transfer of $45 million in taxpayer money to the developer.
The Desert Fashion Plaza development issue is more complex than many stop to consider. The plan is to build new stores and structures to house various types of business enterprises (retailers, theatre, bowling alley, restaurant, grocery market - anything). What's not been seriously considered is whether there's a genuine need for additional business space in Palm Springs? Will existing retailers simply relocate to the new plaza, leaving their former spots vacant? Will the plaza really serve to attract more shoppers into the area? There are no recent studies of record that address either of these questions. The plaza developer appears to believe that shoppers will come if there's something there - but without supportive studies that view is more of an "if we build it, they will come" approach.
The Palm Springs business community wants something - anything - done that will turn the vacant Desert Fashion Plaza situation around. Too many think that plaza redevelopment is the key to making downtown a thriving and vibrant commercial center. Few seriously question whether Palm Springs can grow without an imaginative overall development plan and little thought has been given to that consideration. For most the solution is simple, it's plaza redevelopment, and that's the complete answer. Those who share this "build it and they will come" belief may be suffering from a severe case of Plaza Fever.
Why should Palm Springs taxpayers allow city officials to play Robin Hood in reverse, robbing the poor and giving to the rich? Is there any other way to describe handing $45 million to the Desert Fashion Plaza developer who will then use the money to make a profit on his investment? In November voters will be asked whether a new 1% Sales Tax (totaling $200 million over 25 years) should be approved. Why should taxpayers cast anything other than a NO vote?
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
Desert Fashion Plaza has been a near-vacant eyesore in the heart of downtown Palm Springs for more than a decade. Over the years the owner has hinted, discussed, negotiated and almost promised that plaza development was under active consideration. However, progress, in terms of something actually happening, didn't! When the city council decided the developer needed financial help they realized that giving him some taxpayer money was a great solution (sort of a reverse Robin Hood approach). Someone came up with $45 million as a good figure - and to fund it with a new half percent sales tax. That was later changed to 1% when City Hall realized a bigger tax rate would be a good way to raise funds for restoration of budget cuts, salaries, etc. Those endorsing the measure probably would not have balked had the tax rate been even greater for the only issue of concern to them was the promised transfer of $45 million in taxpayer money to the developer.
The Desert Fashion Plaza development issue is more complex than many stop to consider. The plan is to build new stores and structures to house various types of business enterprises (retailers, theatre, bowling alley, restaurant, grocery market - anything). What's not been seriously considered is whether there's a genuine need for additional business space in Palm Springs? Will existing retailers simply relocate to the new plaza, leaving their former spots vacant? Will the plaza really serve to attract more shoppers into the area? There are no recent studies of record that address either of these questions. The plaza developer appears to believe that shoppers will come if there's something there - but without supportive studies that view is more of an "if we build it, they will come" approach.
The Palm Springs business community wants something - anything - done that will turn the vacant Desert Fashion Plaza situation around. Too many think that plaza redevelopment is the key to making downtown a thriving and vibrant commercial center. Few seriously question whether Palm Springs can grow without an imaginative overall development plan and little thought has been given to that consideration. For most the solution is simple, it's plaza redevelopment, and that's the complete answer. Those who share this "build it and they will come" belief may be suffering from a severe case of Plaza Fever.
Why should Palm Springs taxpayers allow city officials to play Robin Hood in reverse, robbing the poor and giving to the rich? Is there any other way to describe handing $45 million to the Desert Fashion Plaza developer who will then use the money to make a profit on his investment? In November voters will be asked whether a new 1% Sales Tax (totaling $200 million over 25 years) should be approved. Why should taxpayers cast anything other than a NO vote?
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
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Posted by Desert Observer at 8/6/2011 4:24 PM 
Categories: Opinion, Politics, City Council, Desert Fashion Plaza
Tags: Palm Springs 1% Sales Tax Hike Palm Springs City Council Desert Fashion Plaza
Categories: Opinion, Politics, City Council, Desert Fashion Plaza
Tags: Palm Springs 1% Sales Tax Hike Palm Springs City Council Desert Fashion Plaza
THIS IS JUST MORE OF WESSMAN LIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FOR TOO MANY YEARS. ENOUGH ALREADY. WE SHOULD HAVE MADE HIM PUT UP OR SHUT UP LONG AGO. WHAT HE HAS DONE TO DOWNTOWN IS UNCONSCIONABLE. WE SHOULD BACK YOU THE WAY WE BACKED PAUL LEWIN ON THE JAIL.
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