The Twentynine Palms City Council heard a presentation last night about its plans for Project Phoenix, a multi-use facility downtown financed by tax-exempt bonds. The council wanted to find out if—and how—the components of Project Phoenix would fit on the proposed site. Managing editor Tami Roleff was at the meeting and files this report…
Months ago, the Twentynine Palms City Council decided it wanted Project Phoenix, its downtown revitalization project that includes public buildings and infrastructure, to include a large multi-purpose building that could be used for indoor sports, conferences, banquets, art galleries, and special events, as well as a new library, public parking, affordable housing, and a paseo. At last night’s meeting, the council saw tentative plans showing how these elements would fit on the four-block site on the south side of Highway 62 between Cholla Avenue and Desert Queen Avenue.
The multi-use gym/community center will tentatively be 20,000 square feet, while the building for the proposed library will be 15,000 square feet (although the actual library space will only be about 7,500 square feet).
A package treatment plant is also proposed for the site, and utilities will be placed underground.
The buildings will be slab on grade, built with steel frame and concrete block with a metal roof.
Over the next several months, the public will be able to give input about the $20 million Project Phoenix at public workshops and city council and planning commission meetings.
In other business, the council approved an agreement with 5 Bars for a wireless master plan and marketing program. The 5 Bars company will work with the city to identify where future wireless facilities can and should be placed in the city. As compensation, 5 Bars will receive 35 percent of revenue generated from telecommunication leases with the city.
And finally the council approved a service contract with Kosmont Companies to develop a marketing analysis for potential retail growth. The Federal Economic Development Agency will help fund Project Phoenix, but only if the project results in 100 new jobs over a nine-year period. As a first step, the EDA will analyze Twentynine Palms’ market for potential retail growth.
