Last night, in an online-only meeting, the Twentynine Palms City Council approved a land sale that is the first step toward the development of a major chain hotel within the boundaries of Project Phoenix. Reporter Heather Clisby has details …
With a price tag of just under $439,000, last night’s meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council included the approval of a 78,000 square-foot property sale to the Greens Group, a hotel developer and operator based in Irvine. The three-story, 95-unit hotel, likely a Hilton, will be located within Project Phoenix, south of Twentynine Palms Highway, between Tamarisk Avenue and Freedom Way, formerly known as Yucca Avenue. Developers of the $20 million dollar project hope to break ground in early 2023 and aim to open doors mid-to late-2024.
Community Development Director Travis Clark presented a summary of public input, analysis, and recommendations of the draft Downtown Specific Plan. Nearly 700 residents contributed to the plan that takes a long view of the city’s future. “This is a 25-30-year plan,” said Clark, “nothing will happen overnight.” Discussion topics included the desire for more restaurants, growth limitations due to lack of sewer, and the possibility of a roundabout at Hwy 62 and Split Rock Avenue.
The council approved the Voluntary Collection Agreement with Homeaway.com/VRBO, a vacation home rental service, to collect Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and Tourism Fees on behalf of the hosts effective March 1. The city estimates a collection of $660,000 from VRBO hosts for the Fiscal Years of 2021-2022.
