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Needles manager cites hotel interest, $3.9M grant and new slurry machine for streets
Summary
City Manager Patrick Martinez reported developer interest for a Holiday Inn near Duke Walkins, noted a $3.9 million grant supporting park projects, and highlighted a $500,000 slurry machine purchase to extend street life; the update also listed holiday and community events.
City Manager Patrick Martinez told the commission Nov. 17 that Needles has drawn regional and international attention and that a hotel developer has expressed interest in a vacant lot near Duke Walkins.
"We were featured in Hong Kong and Taiwan," Martinez said, and he described work with Discover Inland Empire to highlight Needles to potential developers. Martinez said the city has an interested Holiday Inn developer for a parcel adjacent to Days Inn at the end of Duke Walkins, though he added that the original developer passed away and the city must now find a builder.
Martinez and staff also reviewed grant-funded park work. The commission was told an "expression wall" project is being supported by a $3.9 million grant at Duke Watkins, and staff presented ongoing splash pad maintenance and other park investments. Martinez highlighted in-kind and monetary support from community partners, including Arrowhead Credit Union donating stone signs for local parks.
On public works, Martinez said the city purchased a slurry machine—described in the meeting as a roughly $500,000 piece of equipment—to allow the city to perform crack-sealing and surface-life extension in-house rather than paying outside contractors.
Staff listed upcoming city events and programs supported or run by the parks and recreation division, including a December 3 bike-safety workshop, a downtown holiday fair and tree-lighting events, a Bob Belt Beach Park reception on Dec. 12, a Santa's workshop on Dec. 13, and other community activities. Martinez said the city is continuing to pursue development and sponsorship opportunities to support these programs.
City staff did not present any formal contracts or binding development agreements at the meeting; Martinez characterized the hotel contact as "interest" rather than a finalized deal.
