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Friday, April 17 | ☀️ 77°/58°
Happy Friday, Palm Desert! You may have noticed there are big changes underway at the Civic Center campus. That’s because demolition of the two-story Parkview Office Building kicked off Wednesday morning, with heavy equipment rolling in just before 8 a.m. — and crews are expected to keep at it through June. If you're in the area, the city advises you to stay clear of the fenced zone and watch for construction traffic. For the full scoop on what's ahead, check out this information about the new library coming to the space.
🎶 Setting the mood: "A House Is Not a Home" by Dionne Warwick
Leading Off
Plans say the existing storefront at 73425 El Paseo will have 12-foot-high glazing consisting of five vertically proportioned windows beneath a white concrete facade. (Illustration: City of Palm Desert)
ARC delays two El Paseo storefronts over details
Two proposed storefronts on El Paseo were sent back to their applicants by Palm Desert's Architectural Review Commission, which asked both to address minor design details before granting approval.
Driving the news: The commission continued both projects rather than approving them with conditions, meaning applicants must return with revised plans or appeal to the city council.
The projects: Office furniture retailer Herman Miller plans to occupy a vacant storefront next to Lululemon, previously home to clothing retailer Sundance, which closed late last year. Luxury jeweler Bucherer — acquired Leeds & Son in 2022 — is seeking to expand its existing El Paseo space at the corner of Larrea Street to incorporate a neighboring empty suite.
The details: The Herman Miller proposal was praised for its simplicity but commissioners asked the applicant to address shade created by a protruding standing seam element and its unfinished bottom edge. Bucherer's expansion was sent back with direction to remove a cornice overhanging the eastern half of the building and add matching plant material to the landscaped area.
"This is such a simple design, and I really like it," said commissioner John Vuksic of the Herman Miller proposal. "But because it's so simple, it's important that the details are well done."
Why it matters: City staff had recommended approval for both projects, describing Herman Miller's design as compatible with the surrounding area and calling the Bucherer expansion "visually interesting while remaining compatible with the existing structure and adjacent storefronts."
The bigger picture: The delays continue a pattern of close scrutiny along El Paseo. A proposed Rockin' Avenue bar at 73730 El Paseo was also recently delayed, with a planning commissioner saying its dark exterior would not "activate" the corridor.
Briefly
🏠 Palm Desert leads valley in home sales volume
Palm Desert recorded the highest home sales volume in the Coachella Valley with 149 units sold during the three-month period ending in March, according to the Greater Palm Springs Realtors Desert Housing Report.
The median price for a detached home in Palm Desert fell 3.3% to $735,000 compared to the previous year, while attached home prices dropped 6.1% to $519,000. Palm Desert also holds the largest inventory in the valley with 801 units listed, up from 748 last year. Valley-wide, the median detached home price was $690,000, down 2.8% from last year.
Details: Homes in Palm Desert are selling after a median of 52 days on the market, up from 46 days last year, and are selling for 2.7% below list price.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
This concert was created as a special benefit in support of PSIPC. From the piano Veneszuelan born artist Marco Antonio Godoy shares his journey of arriving in the US with just two bags - one with clothes and one with a keyboard and the challenges, discipline and hope that shaped his path. Your ticket includes a full evening experience.
📅 Featured Events
Multiple Days
Spring Book Sale by Friends of the College of the Desert Library at College of the Desert (Cravens Student Services Center) at 9 a.m. (Free)
Saturday
College of the Desert Street Fair at COD starting at 8 a.m.
Ice Cream Social with First Responders at Handel’s Ice Cream starting at 11 a.m.
Sunday
Concert @ The Joslyn at Joslyn Center at 3 p.m. ($25)
Tuesday
TRYPPIN' Tuesday Nights at Shadow Mountain Golf Course at 5 p.m.
Wednesday
Budweiser Clydesdales along El Paseo at 2 p.m.
Jazz Jam with Doug Macdonald at Shadow Mountain Golf Course at 6 p.m. ($10–$20)
Thursday
Palm Desert City Council at City Hall and online at 4 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting & Special Shopping Event — D Bierfeldt Jewelers at 44425 Town Center Way at 4 p.m.
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10–$20)
✨ And Finally …
Nico Martini and and Reno Martini at signing day for the LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team. (Provided image)
A pair of brothers from Palm Desert are now official members of the LA Galaxy — and one of them made sure it was a package deal.
Driving the news: Nico and Reno Martini were both selected for the LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team following tryouts at Dignity Health Sports Park, where 24 athletes signed contracts as part of the 2026 season.
Nico, who does not have a disability, originally attended tryouts as a spectator — unaware he was even eligible to participate. After being informed he could try out, he told Head Coach Cris Ortiz he'd decline a roster spot unless his brother Reno made it too. Both were selected.
What they're saying: "We haven't had a team to play with our entire lives," Nico said. "So having a team that we can play together is an amazing opportunity."
Worth knowing: The Unified Team brings together athletes ages 16 to 25 — both with and without intellectual disabilities — to train, compete, and travel as official LA Galaxy organization members. The team is supported by Herbalife and funded through the Joint Community Partnership Fund.
Nico will wear No. 44; Reno, No. 22.
In Case You Missed it
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