Ginny's Issues

These are my positions on many of the issues and opportunities before our City.  Please check back periodically as I will be continuously updating and expanding this page.

August 28, 2009

Economy

Our long and proud history as a visitor destination will continue to be an important component of our local economy and our identity, but we must work diligently to diversify our economy in order to keep our City on an even keel.

Our climate and location provides us with exciting opportunities to become active participants in the emerging green economy.  But we must be prepared for this transition by developing strategies and partnerships to attract green industries and create new jobs in Palm Springs and the Valley.  I have already started this work through my involvement with legislation and interaction with several organizations and groups that share this vision. 

My work on the Sustainability Sub-Committee will include facilitating the implementation of conservation policies and programs, and drawing world-wide attention to our valuable resources and commitment to sustainability to position Palm Springs as a viable participant in the green economy.  As a member of the College of the Desert West Campus sub-committee, I am proud to say that our new Palm Springs campus will be a model of green building and is intended to be a center for workforce training in green industries and sustainability.  I will continue working hard to keep us focused on the path to sustainability and moving forward on this tremendous opportunity to develop a more resilient economic base.

I will also continue to be an advocate for integrating eco-tourism as a niche for our City, which will bring in new visitors and provide opportunities for business expansion.  Preservation of our historic and cultural resources, expanded hiking trails and bicycling and walking paths, along with improved signage are investments that will pay us back ten-fold in terms of revenue and quality of life.

Downtown Palm Springs

Downtown is the soul of our City.   We should all be proud of our historic center that provides Palm Springs with a sense of identity and character.  No other City in the valley has the history, name recognition, significant architecture, or relationship to our beautiful mountains as Palm Springs.

Although we are all aware that our downtown area still has significant issues to address, progress has been made in many areas.  I am proud of the accomplishments that have been made through my involvement in the Business Retention Council Subcommittee.  I will continue to work relentlessly in helping downtown realize its full potential by developing new programs and strategies for helping our local businesses, beautifying our downtown, and expanding upon the work that has begun by:

• Continuing to refine our specific plan, which will be used to guide development in downtown and allows new elements such as mixed use development to improve conditions for business investment;

• Increasing participation in the recently created Hotel Incentive Program, which provides tax incentives for renovating existing properties, such as the current multi-million dollar remodeling of the Hyatt Hotel and the completed Ace Hotel and Swim Club and Riviera Hotel and Spa complexes;

• Increasing participation in our Facade Improvement Program, which has already helped 40 businesses enhance their street appearance since we rolled out this program less than a year ago;

• Continuing to focus the attention of our Code Enforcement Officers on vacant downtown buildings, to ensure property owners maintain the appearance of their buildings and landscaping;

• Spearheading downtown beautification programs;

• Opening the Welwood Murray Memorial branch of the Palm Springs Library at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and S. Palm Canyon;
  
• Installing "way-finding" directories downtown and a computerized "way-finding" kiosk to help locals and visitors locate downtown restaurants, retailers and attractions. 

It needs to be said here, that prior to the housing market crash and the failed financial institutions, Palm Springs was on the verge of an entire City-wide renaissance that would have expanded our tax base, increased our economic vitality, and improved the look and feel of our City.   Development plans that I helped put into place over the past four years, are now on hold:  the Hard Rock Hotel near the convention center; the Port Lawrence project on Alejo and N. Palm Canyon; the Cameron on Mesquite Avenue; the South Palm Canyon project at Ramon; the artist community project on Racquet Club and N. Palm Canyon; the historic Racquet Club project on N. Indian; Escena at Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino; two major housing developments near San Rafael and N. Indian Canyon; a housing project at Avenida Caballeros and Alejo; the gay and lesbian retirement community on S. Palm Canyon; Eagle Canyon housing development, and the list goes on... 

However, let’s not lose sight of the fact that these projects retain their entitlement, and as the economy improves and lending institutions begin financing projects again, we can look forward to a major upswing in development.  We already see the beginning signs of this in the re-opening of the Escena project, where homes are once again for sale and work on the golf course and completing the club house is underway; the Mondrian Hotel has successfully advanced through Architectural Advisory Committee; The Springs continues to attract new tenants, including Bed, Bath and Beyond; and the Sun Center is completing a major addition and renovation, as is the Rimrock Shopping Center.

Why Historic Preservation?

I have been a strong advocate for historic preservation, specifically notable buildings in our City that represent our world-renowned mid-century architecture and the earlier California architecture that denotes Palm Springs’ roots.  Not because I believe we should live in the past, but because I have a vision for our future. 

With the Fashion Plaza remaining as it has for the past 10 years and the delay of other sites poised for redevelopment, it is difficult to be patient and mindful of what we have to lose.  Our heritage buildings tell the story of Palm Springs, they give richer meaning to our downtown as a destination, and they help us set ourselves apart from other valley cities.  They are also a proven visitor attraction, enticing an ever-increasing number of national and international travelers to Palm Springs.

I believe it is important to honor and protect this heritage, while at the same time working to facilitate new development in downtown, which perhaps, will one day also become iconic Palm Springs treasures.

I will continue working to achieve a balance between preservation and development, exercising thoughtful decisions that improve quality of life for residents, provide economic benefit for our downtown merchants and our City, and respect the rights of property owners. 

Sustainability

As a member of the Council Sustainability Subcommittee and as a member of Council, I am committed to Palm Springs following the path to sustainability that we embarked on last year. 

Being sustainable doesn’t simply mean we recycle or conserve water.  It is a conscientious decision that recognizes the importance of balancing our economy, the environment, and social values in ways that sustain our community throughout time.   Taking action on this vision means that our economy will not be as vulnerable to the swings of the outside market because we produce much of what we need, including energy from the sun and wind, and we support our local businesses.  Our health will improve because our air and water is protected.  Our quality of life will improve because we are more in charge of our own future and make our decisions based on long term benefit rather than short term gains.

It will take the full participation of our City, residents and businesses to achieve this goal, and it’s not something we are going to achieve over night.  As we have rightly named it, Palm Springs is on the “path" to sustainability.

We have taken the essential first steps:  Last fiscal year we created a sustainability master plan; established an Office of Sustainability and a Sustainability Commission; and have just recently hired a Sustainability Coordinator (who I helped to hire and enthusiastically endorse); all funded by dollars generated through our waste reduction activities.  By law, these funds cannot be used to support our general fund, so we are using them wisely to secure our future. 

I will be working closely with our Sustainability Commission and City staff to implement our sustainability plan, take action on opportunities for change and investment, and help our residents and businesses transition to sustainable behaviors - to ensure a livable and prosperous Palm Springs for today and tomorrow.

Please check this page periodically as I will be continuously updating and expanding upon the issues.  And please take a minute to contact me if there are particular issues that you would like me to respond to, or ideas or comments you would like to share with me.