Measure J Projects

• Main Library Remodel - The Palm Springs Public Library, at 300 S. Sunrise Way, opened in 1975. In need of upgrades, the City applied for and was awarded $6.5 million in matching grant funds by the California State Library Grant Program for the Palm Springs Public Library Renovation Project. The grant funds and matching Measure J funding will provide maintenance and infrastructure updates to the aging building.
• Plaza Theatre Renovation - The Plaza Theatre opened to the public in 1936 with the world premiere of the Oscar-winning George Cukor film, Camille, with its legendary star, Greta Garbo. Over the decades, the building has deteriorated, and the Plaza Theatre Foundation has been established to raise $16.5M to support the City of Palm Springs’ effort to fully restore the historic theatre.
• Restrooms at Victoria and Ruth Hardy Parks - This project will upgrade the plumbing and electrical facilities inside City-owned parks. Based on Engineering and Architectural review, the project may reconstruct the restroom rather than upgrade. There is also the option to review the ability to construct new restrooms at these locations.
• Fire Tower Training Facility - Currently there is nowhere in the City of Palm Springs to train new and existing staff, and fire personnel have been traveling far distances for training - and the availability of those locations are limited. This Fire Tower will be built behind the Fire Department Training Center at 3000 E. Alejo Road.
• Downtown Safety Bollards - Phase 2 to install permanent retractable bollards on South Palm Canyon at Andreas, Tahquitz Canyon Way, Baristo and Arenas. This will replace the water-filled k-rails used every Thursday night for VillageFest.
• Police Department Impound Building - The Palm Springs Police Department needs an enclosed and secure structure to hold impounded vehicles. The current fenced-in impound lot is exposed to the elements and protected by only a chain link fence.
• JC Frey Building Rehabilitation - This project will install useable restrooms, replace HVAC and install fire sprinklers and fire alarms in this auxiliary building near the Library, at 1911 E. Baristo Road. The existing Main Library has an archival room and storage area they would like to convert into meeting space. This requires the archive material and files to be moved to the JC Frey Building.
• Keyless Entry System - City Facilities (Phase 2) - This project will replace the access control system with a new system hardware system that is expandable to other City facilities including integration with intrusion detection and video surveillance. This phase includes the Fire stations and Animal Shelter. Phase 1 included City Hall, City Yard, Fleet, and the Police Department.
• Demuth Park ADA Access (Phase 2) - Will address the accessibility deficiencies at restrooms, concession buildings, drinking fountains, outdoor bleachers, playground, railings, tables and benches at Demuth Park.
• Life Safety Improvement (Upgraded Fire Sprinklers/Fire Alarms) at Main Library - This project will install upgraded fire sprinkler systems in the Main Library to comply with current life safety standards. This project will also include but is not limited to, fire alarm panels, smoke detectors, pull stations, emergency exit lighting, strobes and audible notification devices.
• Back-Up Generators at City Facilities - Purchase and install back up emergency generators at the Animal Shelter, Leisure Center, Pavilion and Library. These generators provide electricity during power outages. The Library is designated as a cooling center for Riverside County.
• City Water Treatment Program (HVAC) - This project will install automatic monitoring and control devices in all cooling towers that are a part of the air conditioning and ventilation systems in City facilities to ensure the City remains compliant with certain public health and safety regulations.
• Recreation Fields LED Lighting Upgrades - Ballfields and Demuth Park and Sunrise Park - The lights at the various park ballfields were installed in the 1950s and 1960s and utilized outdated and energy inefficient metal halide light fixtures that are no longer manufactured. This project will replace the metal halide light fixtures with energy efficient LED light fixtures and replace the wiring system.
• Roundabout at S. Indian Canyon, S. Palm Canyon and Camino Parocela - As a part of the Indian Canyon Two-Way conversion study, the City Council requested the project look at a traffic signal vs. a roundabout at this intersection. The roundabout was the preferred design alternative from a traffic safety perspective and to reduce traffic accidents. THIS PROJECT WAS CANCELED BY CITY COUNCIL AT ITS MAY 23, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
• Sunrise Plaza HVAC Improvements - Replace chillers and cooling towers at the Pavilion and Leisure Center with an all-in-one packaged unit, including connection to the City's Environmental Control Management System (ECMS).
• Construct New Small and Large Dog Parks at Demuth Park - Following the use of temporary dog park locations, dog park users and stakeholders were vocal about their desire for additional permanent dog parks being established within the City, offering similar amenities and features as the City Hall dog park.
• Arnico Tract Sewer (Phase 4) - Install Sewer Main and Sewer Laterals in Arnico Street. COMPLETED
• Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project - Reconstruction and/or overlay of deteriorated street segments in the City. This project will fix cracked, broken and damaged streets. Link 2024 Pavement Project Streets List
• Convention Center Exhibit Hall and Primrose Carpet Replacement - Replace 112,561 square-feet of carpet in the Palm Springs Convention Center Exhibit Hall and Primrose (conference room). The current carpet is over 20 years old and Exhibit Hall carpet tiles are no longer available. The new carpet will provide better sound quality and ensure replacement tiles for future repairs. The new carpet will improve aesthetics and the Convention Center can use the new carpet as a selling tool for marketing the facility.
• Convention Center Exhibit Hall Air Wall and Acoustical Tile Refurbish - Replace air wall covering in Oasis Exhibit Hall. Coverings are aged, faded and damaged. The three airwalls are the original hardware and covering that were installed in 1987.
• Convention Center Jackie Lee Houston Plaza Upgrades - Install new shade structures, increase concrete pad for event space and improve landscaping. Upgrades will provide a larger outdoor event space for the Convention Center and local events.
• Convention Center Marquee Upgrade - Replace existing message signs with new digital message signs. Replacement parts for the current message signs will soon be no longer available.
• Palm Springs Convention Center Retrofit Lighting Controls - Replace all HID (High Intensity Discharge) indirect flood lighting fixtures with new LEDs (non-dimming) and controls. Replace all florescent fixtures with LED fixtures.
• Relocate Fire Station 1 - Construct Fire Station including Administrative Offices, Emergency Operations Center and Training Tower - Fire Station # 1, located on Indian Canyon Drive, was built in 1957. The fire station does not meet safety standards implemented in construction of new fire stations. The station cannot accommodate gender separation for sleeping and restroom accommodations. The station infrastructure is failing and will be very expensive to repair.
• Measure J Community Initiated Projects - The City Council authorized to set aside $1 million of Measure J funds for Community Initiated Projects. These projects come to the Measure J Commission from the community at-large for consideration of using Measure J funds to pay for the project.
• Pedestrian Master Plan Recommended Projects - Based on a December 2021 Pedestrian Plan report, funded through the Southern California Associate of Governments (SCAG), various locations throughout the City were identified for pedestrian safety improvements. The report identified a total of 37 locations needing improvements. Since it is not feasible to address all 37 locations within one fiscal year, the City will use a phased approached, picking one or two locations per District. Phase 1 Projects will consist of installing new crosswalk, ramps, rapid flashing beacon system, medians, lane reductions via pop-out curbs, bikes lanes and refreshing faded
  lane lines.
  The Pedestrian Master Plan considered community feedback from residents, schools, police department, as well as analyzed pedestrian/ bicyclist accident data to identify hotspots.
• Pickleball Courts - 12 new Pickleball Courts requested through Measure J community initiated projects outreach.
• San Rafael Drive Turf Conversion - Recommended by Measure J for funding based on community initiated project applications.

What are Community Initiated Projects?

The City Council authorized to set aside $1 million of Measure J funds for Community Initiated Projects. These projects come to the Measure J Commission from the community at-large for consideration of using Measure J funds to pay for the project.

Who can submit a Community Initiated Project? Individual citizens, neighborhood organizations, businesses and organizations in Palm Springs can submit a project for consideration. You are strongly encouraged to think about ideas or projects that will enhance the livability and overall quality of life for people who live, work, and play in our City.

How are projects selected to be a Measure J - Community Initiated Project? Submitted applications will be given a thorough review and then ranked by the Measure J Commissioners, using the ranking criteria on the application form. The Measure J Commission will provide their recommendations for projects to Staff to see which are viable projects. Then Staff will finalize the list and submit the Measure J Commission’s recommendations to the Palm Springs City Council for final approval. The amount of funds available for Community Initiated Projects is limited. Applications who meet the criteria will be considered for recommendation to the City Council for final approval and funding up to the $1 million limit.

There are currently ___ Measure J projects in the pipeline as part of the City's 5-Year Capital Improvement Program, Fiscal Year 2022-2023 through Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

Annual Measure J funding is as follows:

FY 22-23: $27,396,150

FY 23-24: $21,302,650

FY 24-25: $18,205,250

FY 25-26: $16,900,000

FY 26-27: $7,500,000

TOTAL: $91,304,050