HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/3/2016 - STAFF REPORTS - 5.D. A. EpALMs'04
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CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW BUSINESS
SUBJECT: REQUEST FROM PS RESORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF RE-
INSTALLATION OF FOREVER MARILYN SCULPTURE IN DOWNTOWN
PARK
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Office of the City Manager
SUMMARY
PS Resorts, a consortium of large Palm Springs hoteliers charged with creating events
to boost tourism and conventions, has requested City Council to consider re-installation
of the Forever Marilyn statue in the new downtown park. A discussion item only, staff
seeks direction to commence negotiations with PS Resorts on a possible park
easement for future City Council consideration.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to commence negotiations with PS Resorts on an easement
and other appropriate contractual documents for City Council consideration — as related
to the relocation of Forever Marilyn at the new downtown park.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Forever Marilyn sculpture by Seward Johnson was unveiled as a temporary display
in May of 2012, and was on display at the corner of Tahquitz and Palm Canyon for two
years. PS Resorts raised approximately $100,000 in private donations to fund the
installation at that time. Thousands of visitors were drawn downtown to have their
pictures taken with Marilyn. Weekly community events were held in the newly
christened "Marilyn Park" and the corner became a focal point of downtown. At any
time, day or night, crowds of visitors congregated for photo opportunities.
While Marilyn was here, visitor surveys indicated that it was a positive attraction. Some
visitors came to Palm Springs specifically to see Marilyn. Many visitors that were
staying in other parts of the valley came to downtown Palm Springs to see the sculpture
and get a photo. It became one of the most asked about attractions at the visitor's
center since many visitors had seen it in the media before they arrived.
ITEM NO. 5C>
City Council Staff Report
August 3, 2016— Page 2
Re-installation of Forever Marilyn Sculpture
Marilyn brought an incredible amount of positive public relations and media exposure to
Palm Springs. National and international media outlets carried stories and pictures of
Marilyn in Palm Springs. Palm Springs was featured in the drive market with feature
stories in the LA Times, Orange County Register and San Diego Tribune. Stories were
also carried in our direct flight markets of Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco and
Seattle. Nationally, Marilyn was featured in USA Today, and on the Travel Channel.
Internationally, Marilyn was covered in England, Germany, France and China. Overall,
the public relations value of Marilyn included millions of media impressions, with dozens
of stories published and thousands of photos posted with the Visit Springs Logo in the
background.
Subsequently, PS Resorts has been negotiating with the Sculpture Foundation to
purchase Forever Marilyn, and has a deadline of mid-August to move forward with a
deposit to ultimately secure the sculpture. At the present time, PS Resorts has identified
a sponsor for approximately 50% of the purchase, and will continue their private
fundraising efforts, including creation of a website to take donations from the general
public.
In order for PS Resorts to move forward with fundraising, they requested direction from
City Council to allow placement of the sculpture in the new downtown park. Details of a
specific site location, maintenance, security, etc., must be worked out between the City
and PS Resorts — and staff would begin negotiations on an easement and other
appropriate contractual documents for City Council to consider at a future meeting.
Currently, the sculpture is undergoing restoration in New York, and could be available
later this year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact to the City. PS Resorts is undertaking a private fundraising campaign to
fund the sculpture purchase.
DAVID H. READY,
City Manager
Attachments:
02
Cindy Berardi
From: Jennifer Nelson
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2016 1:34 PM
To: Kathie Hart; Cindy Berardi;Terri Milton
Subject: Fwd: My Opinion
From: Carlos Avalon [mailto:carlosava Ion Cabaol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2016 12:32 PM
To: Ginny Foat
Subject: My Opinion
Dear Councilmember Foat:
A few items I'd like to give my opinon on as a resident-voter-activist.
1. Uber/Lyft to Airport: NO! We need to protect our traditional Taxi industry.
2. Marilyn Monroe coming back to downtown park: YES YES YES! Whatever it takes.
3. Transition of Apartments to Short-Term rentals: NO NO NO!
4. 400 homes at the old Palm Springs Country Club: NO! The moment our city's population reaches
50,000 we will not be the Village we all love and moved here for.. more traffic... etc. etc. I DO
SUPPORT all housing projects already approved, but not new ones. I think we need a bit of a freeze
on this growth. I also support hotel growth because it keeps us as a resort destination going strong.
Guess what I'm saying is that I love having 100,000 tourists in town any weekend, but not 100,000
official residents.. lol I must add that I support affordable housing and glad to know you went to La
Vern and are looking at projects like that for us here.
Thanks for your fine work and allowing me to give my little input.
Carlos
Carlos Avalon Music
AvaSon Entertainment
P.O. Box 796
Palm Springs, CA 92263 USA
Office Phone: 209.832.8320
Cell: 760.408.5577
www.carlosavalon.com
facebook: Carlos Avalon
YouTube: ThislsCarlosAvalon
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