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Friday, March 27 | ☀️ 94°/73°
TGIF folks! The city has launched a redesigned website (check it out here) built to make it easier for residents, businesses, and visitors to find what they need — with a cleaner layout, better organization, and a structure that gets you to frequently used information in three clicks or less. The new site also gets ahead of ADA accessibility requirements taking effect April 24. Got something to say about it? Email [email protected].
🎶 Setting the mood: "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan
Leading Off
Early renderings of what the new Palm Desert library could look like.
Palm Desert cuts ties with contractor over library cost overruns, reopens bidding
The Palm Desert City Council voted 4-0 Thursday to terminate its construction agreement with Tilden Coil Construction for a new city library after the contractor's cost estimate came in far higher than expected, pushing the anticipated opening to late 2028.
Driving the news: The council voted to immediately reopen the bidding process, this time requiring contractors to agree upfront to the city's cost estimates. Applicants will also be allowed to subcontract out all work — a change intended to attract more bidders.
Tilden Coil will still receive $1 million for demolishing the existing building and for preconstruction services already rendered.
The backstory: Earlier this week, the Library Advisory Committee reviewed initial construction cost estimates for the project at 73710 Fred Waring Dr. that came in roughly double the $25 million the city initially budgeted in November. An independent review found the original cost expectation to be reasonable.
A city official attributed the gap to differences in how Tilden Coil and project architect Richärd Kennedy Architects approached key design elements — including a shade structure that alone produced a cost variance of $1.5 million to $7 million.
Why it matters: Palm Desert withdrew from the Riverside County Library System in July 2024 and is currently leasing temporary library space at the College of the Desert campus. That lease ends in July 2029, when the college will reclaim the building.
"We do not have the option of staying after five years," Senior Project Manager Ryan Lamb warned.
What they're saying: Mayor Evan Trubee said he was unwilling to significantly exceed the $30 million cost estimate. "That was never the idea — to have a gold-plated edifice in our city," he said.
Briefly
Dining decks were a boon for restaurants in the pandemic, like Daily Grill seen here in January 2021.
🍽️ Dining deck program — not outdoor dining — set to end June 30
The Palm Desert City Council indicated Thursday during a study session that its temporary Outdoor Dining Deck Program, which has allowed restaurants to operate dining platforms in city streets and public rights-of-way since 2020, will expire June 30.
Four businesses are currently affected: Kitchen 86 and PizzaVino have approved dining decks, while Armandos Restaurant and Little Bar have applications under review. Council directed staff to research permanent alternatives, and officials emphasized that outdoor dining on private property remains an option.
What’s next: The city plans to notify affected businesses through letters and emails in April, one-on-one meetings in April and May, social media outreach, and attendance at an El Paseo Business District meeting in May to discuss the transition.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER
We will be joined by Matt Walding, Partner, Santos Walding LLP. This workshop will help you create your trust and estate documents, as well as update your current documents. You'll also learn about the benefit of designating a charitable beneficiary in your estate plans.
📅 Featured Events
The Myx - Live Music
Today (Friday) | 6:30 p.m. | Casuelas Cafe
A Casuelas Cafe family favorite performing fun tunes in English and Spanish that get the crowd dancing.
5k Run
Saturday | 7 a.m. | Rutina Coffee
A 5k out-and-back run ending at Rutina Coffee with guest DJ @whoknowshec posted up at the finish line.
COD Street Fair
Saturday | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | College of the Desert
An open-air shaded shopping experience second to none with merchandise and services for all ages and any budget.
David Finckel and Wu Han
Saturday | 3 p.m. | Community Presbyterian Church
Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han perform in a program spanning world-class classical repertoire. Tickets available by phone at 760-459-0650 or at the door; students and parents with children are admitted free.
Dog Day at the Zoo
Monday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Living Desert
On select dates, guests can explore the zoo with their pups, enjoy dog-friendly paths, and experience a unique outing surrounded by wildlife.
2026 Palm Springs Philharmonic Series
Monday | 7:30 p.m. | McCallum Theatre
PS Friends of Philharmonic presents the Dallas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fabio Luisi, featuring pianist Helene Grimaud and soprano Sofia Fomina. Program includes Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto and Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 4.
Ribbon Cutting at Read With Me Volunteer Programs
Tuesday | 2 p.m. | Read With Me
Read With Me Volunteer Programs celebrates its move to a new, expanded office with a ribbon cutting and open house featuring live entertainment, light bites, guided tours, and guest speakers.
Rat Pack Duo
Wednesday | 6 p.m. | Hotel Paseo
Live entertainment at Hotel Paseo featuring the Rat Pack Duo.
Board Game Night
Thursday | 5 p.m. | The Dragon Den
Great for groups, date nights, or solo visits looking to meet fellow gamers. Check out their Used Games section for discounts. ($10–$20)
✨ And Finally …
An overhead view of a home with an unpermitted pickleball court.
Pickleball's conquest of the desert continues — this time, one backyard at a time.
Driving the news: The Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve an unpermitted backyard pickleball court near Marrakesh Country Club, over the objections of neighbors who argued that the sport's sharp, percussive sound is more disruptive than the city's noise standards can capture.
Play at the court, located at 73481 Purslane St., will be restricted to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The noise question: A sound study measured play at 48 to 50 decibels at surrounding property lines — below the city's 55-decibel daytime limit.
Yes, but: Commissioners and city staff acknowledged the city's standard, based on 10-minute average readings, isn't well suited to the kind of intermittent crack-and-pop that makes pickleball neighbors everywhere reach for their earplugs.
Worth noting: This was at least the fourth unpermitted pickleball court to come before the commission — and staff confirmed none had ever been denied. Commissioners questioned whether unpermitted builders face any real consequences, noting that fees and citations are paused once an applicant enters the approval process.
Palm Desert is reviewing how other cities handle sport court noise as part of a broader code update.
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