PALM SPRINGS, Calif.—The City of Palm Springs has issued Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for architectural and engineering services and an owner’s representative as it prepares to renovate and expand the Palm Springs Convention Center. The $125 million project also includes pedestrian improvements to connect the facility directly with the downtown core. An additional RFQ for urban design services is expected later in September.
The convention center, opened in 1984 and last expanded in 2005, has long been a cornerstone of the city’s tourism economy. The current plan, which will be delivered in multiple stages, calls for upgrades to existing spaces, expansion of the eastern entrance to accommodate larger events, and a broader master plan update to guide future work. Streetscape, multimodal, and neighborhood improvements are also part of the proposal, intended to make the facility more accessible and better integrated with surrounding districts.
City officials said the funding strategy will combine several sources, including the possible creation of a Tourism Infrastructure District, Measure J, Measure A, and other financing tools. Mayor of the City of Palm Springs Ron deHarte said the project builds on the original intent of the convention center while preparing the city for the next decade. “The City’s objective in originally building and expanding the Convention Center was to support and enhance the tourist and convention business,” he said. “Looking ahead, by 2030, Palm Springs aspires to be the desert’s premier center for commerce, community, and culture by leading the way in immersive event technology and sustainable flexible spaces, developing an integrated campus with exceptional accommodations and cutting-edge event venues, and serving as a driving force for regional economic growth that benefits both residents and visitors.”
The RFQs are available through the City’s procurement portal, PlanetBids. Pre-qualification conferences are scheduled for September 17 and 18, and the process includes a local preference scoring category to encourage participation by area firms.
