As part of the ongoing planning process for a new Palm Springs arena, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has released a report on how the venue could affect parking and traffic in the area.
To be built as part of a partnership between Oak View Group (OVG) and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the $250-million, privately financed arena is expected to open in 2021. It will be constructed on tribal land in downtown Palm Springs and host an AHL expansion team along with a number of other events, including concerts.
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians recently released a project report, which outlined issues such as how the new arena will affect parking and traffic in the area. The report found that the parking plan for the arena–which includes 650 on-site spaces, plus a mix of existing downtown spaces–would be sufficient on most event dates. When it comes to traffic, the reported noted that venue will lead to an increase in vehicle traffic at certain downtown intersections, especially in the hour before and after an event. This is notable, given that the project has caused concerns locally over parking and traffic, but city officials are expressing optimism that OVG’s experience will make it suited to implement measures that minimize the issue. More from the Desert Sun:
A traffic study completed by The Mobility Group for the proposed arena anticipates heavy traffic at multiple stop sign intersections in the center part of Palm Springs in the hour before and after an event.
The study analyzed traffic at 70 intersections and concluded the arena will cause “significant effects” at eight intersections in the hour before an event. Six of those currently have stop signs, plus the signalized intersections of Sunrise Way and Vista Chino, and Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon Drive….
Palm Springs City Manager David Ready touted OVG’s experience with similar projects in other cities, including their willingness to utilize traffic officers during events.
“They’re coming at this from a solutions perspective,” Ready said.
The AHL announced in late September that it had awarded a Palm Springs expansion franchise to OVG and NHL Seattle. Palm Springs will be the league’s 32nd team, and is expected to begin play in the 2021-22 season.
Renderings via AHLPalmSprings.com.
RELATED STORIES: Palm Springs AHL Expansion Team Approved for 2021-22 Season; Palm Springs Arena Planning Underway; Palm Springs Arena Environmental Study Getting Underway; Surprise: Early Reaction to New Palm Springs Arena Includes Parking, Traffic Concerns; New Palm Springs Arena Plans Unveiled; New Palm Springs Arena Reportedly in the Works; Seattle AHL Affiliate Location Narrowed to Boise, Palm Springs; Seattle AHL Affiliate Would Carry Major Implications; Idaho Steelheaders as Seattle AHL Affiliate?; Seattle AHL Affiliate Expected for 2021-22 Season
