The Sheriff's Department has been using this building since 1989 but will be moving out at the end of the year.
The Palm Desert City Council wants to use a Riverside County Sheriff's Department facility at Civic Center for city purposes, directing staff to research options to renovate the property rather than pursue private leasing or demolition.
City staff came before the council at a study session Thursday's seeking guidance on what to do with the 25,393-square-foot building adjacent to City Hall.
The facility has housed Sheriff's Department operations since 1989, containing a dispatch center serving the eastern Coachella Valley from Riverside to Blythe, investigative units and training facilities. When the Sheriff's lease expires at the end of this year, operations will relocate to the department's headquarters on Gerald Ford Drive.
The departure will cost Palm Desert approximately $570,000 in annual rental revenue, representing nearly half the income generated by the Palm Desert Office Complex Enterprise Fund. Without it, the remaining city buildings will operate at a net loss of about $173,500 per fiscal year.
Staff presented three options for the building. The first would renovate it for city use at around $974,000. The city thinks the space could serve as office space, collaboration areas, storage, secure fleet parking or an Emergency Operations Center. Economic Development Manager Jill Mendoza noted this option avoids "the risks associated with private leasing" while retaining city control.
The second option would prepare the building for commercial use at an estimated $1.7 million, with comprehensive renovations and ADA upgrades. Staff said it could be used for medical, coworking or other office space, but warned this option could require "significant time and cost, as there are no comparable sites in the city."
The third option — demolishing the building — would cost around $1.1 million and return the site to vacant land.
Councilmembers expressed support for keeping the building for city purposes.
Councilmember Gina Nestande said she envisioned the building could be repurposed "...for city offices, community outreach, public engagement, future CVAG meetings…and keep Palm Desert the hub of the valley." She called the property "a finite resource" and said she would be against tearing it down or pursuing market-rate leases.
Councilmember Jan Harnik emphasized potential uses including space for the Citizens on Patrol program, an Emergency Operations Center, library operations or even relocation for the Chamber of Commerce.
"This is the Civic Center complex — it needs to remain for the city," Harnik said, adding that with the city's growth, "that building will help us" serve residents well.
Mayor Evan Trubee asked if the city could wait before deciding and see what private tenants might be interested in over the next year or two. Staff warned against that approach, noting previous unsuccessful attempts to find market-rate tenants.
Leaving the building vacant would still require the city to cover basic maintenance costs without generating revenue, causing it to "bleed money" on the property.
No decision was made on a specific use for the building. Staff will conduct further analysis to refine costs and timelines, identify funding sources and return to the council with a detailed implementation strategy.