City of Palm Springs Enters into Contract for Section 14 Historical Context Study
PALM SPRINGS — For $74,990, the city of Palm Springs recently commenced a Historical Context Study with well-known Southern California consultant Architectural Resources Group to document the facts surrounding the complex history of Section 14.
Section 14 is a one-square-mile tract adjacent to downtown Palm Springs. Throughout 1956-1969, some of the properties in Section 14 were abated by burning and demolition due to health concerns from federal, State, and Riverside County officials and ongoing development efforts.
The firm is uniquely qualified to conduct the review due to their extensive experience overseeing similar successful studies with other municipalities including Los Angeles, Pasadena, West Hollywood, and Culver City.
The City Council directed Staff to find a qualified consultant at its April 11 Council meeting and work began earlier this month. A draft study is expected to be completed in September – and a final presentation to the City Council is expected to be delivered in November.
The purpose of the Historical Context Study is to document the history of Section 14 during the time the City was asked to assist the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians clear their property. In addition, it will help the Council more clearly determine the City’s role and responsibilities related to the displacements.
“The City Council values an external third party who will analyze historical documents and provide the City and all residents and stakeholders with a comprehensive historical report of Section 14,” said Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein. “My Council colleagues and I are united in agreement that we want to work together as a community to address the inequities of the past and this Historical Context Study is the first step in the process.”
Besides agreeing to a Historical Context Study, the City Council collectively agreed in April to offer $4.3 million to residents with verified property losses related to Section 14 and request Staff to look at commencing several programmatic actions to address past inequities. These actions include building more affordable housing, increasing economic opportunities for underserved communities, exploring the feasibility of building a Healing Center dedicated to Section 14, and potentially renaming a community park, dedicating an art installation, and/or creating a day of remembrance. Some of these efforts are expected to come before the Council for discussion within the coming months.
To learn more about the history and facts surrounding Section 14, view thousands of City documents related to the matter, and review Fact Sheets, residents and stakeholders are invited to visit EngagePalmSprings.com.
