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City highlights Plaza Theatre restoration, library renovation and college campus as part of downtown revival
Summary
The mayor highlighted cultural and community investments including a $34 million Plaza Theatre restoration, a $45 million library renovation, and a $405 million college campus under construction to help transform Palm Springs into a college town and fuel downtown activity.
During the Dec. 2 program the mayor emphasized cultural and community investments designed to strengthen downtown and expand long‑term economic opportunity.
The Plaza Theatre restoration was presented as a $34,000,000 project completed with significant philanthropic support, donor contributions and tax credits; the mayor said the theater is expected to attract roughly 135,000 patrons annually and create theater‑adjacent economic activity. The city also highlighted a $45,000,000 complete renovation of the Palm Springs main library to expand community and learning spaces.
Education and workforce development were underscored through an update on the College of the Desert West Valley campus: the mayor said the 167,000‑square‑foot campus represents a $405,000,000 investment now under construction and expected to open in 2027, and that all Palm Springs Unified School District students will receive two years of college free under the program described.
The mayor also recognized long‑standing local businesses (listing institutions with multi‑decade histories) and the Spirit of Palm Springs award recipients, and noted about 48 recently opened or remodeled local businesses.
No votes or formal approvals of these cultural investments were recorded in the special meeting; the mayor framed these projects as partnerships among philanthropy, Measure J funds, tax credits and private investment.
