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Home My WebLink About5/14/2003 - STAFF REPORTS (3) eel al� 44&b - �'��rye, �s .✓� ,�a.�z✓nzr✓rw .�� e2��,-�J��r✓� . ✓G1ryvG� C��`�c�Oi.2�� t�� ✓Yl'1A-�/t%YJ?J — 0 � +�'.¢��. L�i. �i��L72Y�G�2el,�cJ __.6'LG�__�,t%x-Q✓�r� ` January 21 , 2002 VILLAGE VOICE I 'm a long ways from being in Dr. Martin Luther. King ' s league , but I , too, sha�:e 'his dream and have one of my own-- all about Palm Springs . Our. valley has many unique features , collectively found no place else: mountains and desert , sun and snow, Big Horn Sheep and roadrunners, hiking trails and waterfalls. swimming and skiing, celebrities and regular folks , presi- dents and movie stars. I envision our"-world-famous Palm Springs village, play- ground of the stars , haven for our Snowbirds , as a world- class destination-resort with major attractions , namely: The Palm Springs Film and Entertainment Museum, pro- posed by Arlyn Rudolph, supported by producer. John Ayles- worth, funded by a $500 , 000 grant from the Frederick Loewe Foundation. (Desert Sun, 4-9-99. I,etters to council 2-3-97 2-2-98 ) Plus, a National Big Band & Jazz Hall of Fame with its Chief Executive Officer Bob Alexander. Both in place to amaze and enjoy. (Desert Sun 2-1-2000 ) I picture the Palm Springs Promenade ( formerly The Desert Fashion Plaza) dressed up with murals depicting the city ' s history, works of art , photographs of stars--offering a wic.e selection of shopping, dining and entertainment. Included in the mix would be a bookstore with a coffee Arlene Smith Village Voice Page 2 and tea bar, comfortable chairs , biographies of our stars and founders , books by local authors , Palm Springs history, adult games , tables for checkers and chess tournaments, current publications. --an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with juke boxes and penny candy. --a pharmacy with the usual drugstore fare, souve- nirs , postcards, stamp machine, out-of-town and foreign newspapers , maps . --a bank with ATM foreign curr.ency. exchange. --and an enclosed multiple-purpose area for fash- ion shows , benefits, conferences and the like. Providing a Cazebo for a place to meet and rest, tel- ephone booth, restroom, large city map, Promenade map, bike racks , drinking fountains, benches , handy trash cans, an available wheelchair--all would garner praise, apprecia- tion , loyalty and continued patronage. With my eyes wide open and a hopeful heart, I look be- yond the challenges--before our city-councils, past and present--some of which have been judiciously solved, otlaers grievously neglected, such as , the homeless , north Palm Springs ( legacy of Section 14) - and recycling. But I keep the faith and forsee a bright future for our hometown. Sincerely, Background: Lived here since 1966 Arlene Smith on nursing staff at Desert Hospital, 1254 E . Andreas Rd. 7 years Palm Springs, Ca . Volunteered, Bob Hope Classic, 28 yrs . 92262 Graduated, P. S. Citizens Police Academy 327-6503 4-3-2000 Retired owner Family Day Care facility Volunteer, Welwood MUrray Memorial Library Cornelia White Little House a 1254 E. Andreas Rd. Palm Springs, Ca. 92262 Tel:416-2115 December 18 , 199 9__/ Dear Council Members c and Palm Springs Residents, '" Consider this: By enphasizing special features of a business or town, the goal of every Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Organization is to attract visitors and local people alike. The history, design, convenience, location all play a part in appealing to the public, resulting in financial benefits to the city at large. The former Tramway Gas Station, designed by the famous architect Albert Frey ( who continues to live in Palm Springs) answers that description. Some folks call it ugly, but no one can deny it is unique, an attention-getter. It is just what is needed for a Information Center right smack at the entrance to our fair city. Close-by acreage woul accommodate parking and food and beverage establishments. People pass right by the non-descript building currently housing the Tourist Bureau. To offer visitors assistance to meet all their needs and interests, putting them at ease immediately without having to search for di- rections and advice, would be, I 'm sure, greatly appreciated--a sure-fire public-relations bonanza. Having an attractive eye-catching well-known Tourist Information Booth next door would be an advantage for the Shadowrock Resort --with the bureau pointing out the many fine qualities the resort exemplified along with all the natural beauty and excitement the Tram offers. Once visitors got down into town, they might not be interested in returning to the north end, . . for their accommodations . Think of it. There are 1000 ' s ( actually many more) resorts but there is only One Flying Wedge Building like ours . . .and its known far and wide by architectural historians, not just nationwide but internation- ally as well ! . "They extol it as a wonderful symbol of roadside and desert architecture. " (Douglas Haberman) (The Desert Sun) Tramway Gas Station Page 2 0 So why not use its fame as a selling point? Its a win-win situ- ation for Palm Springs and for Mr. Mark Bragg' s Shadowrock Re- sort, providing he can meet environmental requirements. I urge all parties to work together to what could be a splendid resolution. More than anything, I want what is best for my town. I want our mountains and wildlife protected, our history preserved and I want everyone to prosper and be treated with respect. Sincerely, 1/ Copies to: � 0�mC Mayor Will Kleindienst Arlene Smith Mayor Pro Tem Deyna Hodges Mark Bragg Chairwoman Ingrid Baddour Eleanor Corkle, Preservation Board Chairman Chris Mills Director Janice Lyle Publisher John Connell Bragg ' s Representative Marvin Roos Gallery owner Kirk Campbell Neil Anenberg, landowner Councilwoman Jeanne Reller-Spurgin, on behalf of the Council . . . to share ( copies on request) Preservation Board Member Brad Dunning Stan Barnes, Eouncilman (Please convey my appreciation to all the Ron Olen, Councilman members and the Task Force. I think you and Mr. Oden are to be commended along with all the other members for all your time and efforts . I