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City manager: Palm Springs library renovation on budget and on track; foundation raises funds and council approved naming report
Summary
City Manager Scott Stiles told trustees April 9 that the renovation is about 18% complete and on budget with an expected early‑2027 opening; the Library Foundation reported recent fundraising successes and the City Council approved naming‑rights recommendations for donor recognition.
City Manager Scott Stiles told the Palm Springs Library Board of Trustees on April 9 that the downtown library renovation is on budget and approximately 18% complete by work and dollars spent. "The project's currently on track... there were 18% complete both in terms of completion and dollars spent," Stiles said, and he reiterated the project remains scheduled for completion in early 2027.
Stiles described recent construction milestones: major demolition and abatement work and underground concrete are complete; crews are installing new wall framing and nearing completion of Southern California Edison work required to power the building; next steps include steel and shear‑wall upgrades and parking‑lot extensions.
The board also heard fundraising and naming reports. Jeannie Kays told trustees that the City Council approved the naming‑rights report the night before and that the Friends of the Palm Springs Library pledged $250,000 toward renaming the J.C. Fry building. Kays summarized naming categories that together total about $525,000 and said the Foundation is proposing a $50,000 seed for an LGBTQ 'Rainbow' endowment for relevant programming and materials.
Peter Pearson, CEO of the Palm Springs Public Library Foundation, reported recent cultivation events that brought donors together (110 attendees at a March "Cocktails on the Page" event) and said donor solicitations have produced roughly $100,000 in campaign proceeds. He said the Foundation is developing a legacy/planned‑giving program aimed at building a $5 million endowment and that the Art Museum has agreed to provide its venue for a major 2027 fundraising event.
Next steps: construction will continue on the schedule described by staff. The Foundation will continue cultivation and planned‑giving work; Kays and the Foundation said further naming opportunities remain available.
