Picture shows current conditions of Sunny Dunes streetscape
Palm Springs, CA
What started as an unlikely partnership between yours truly at the Palm Springs Tribune and Robert Cole, owner of the Tool Shed, has grown into a full-fledged neighborhood initiative to improve East Sunny Dunes Road.
The idea first took shape in September 2023 after the Tribune published an article about the Tool Shed’s plans at the time to build out a new large outdoor patio. In conversations that followed, the Tribune and Cole recognized the need for additional customer parking in front of the Tool Shed, as well as more shaded street trees to create a welcoming environment along the corridor. From those discussions, a community-driven plan emerged to add diagonal parking and enhance the streetscape including a diagram sent to the city on how it could be done.
Neighboring Business Support
Since then, the proposal has gained strong support from neighboring businesses. Gear, Townie Bagels, Q Trading, Offramp Leathers, and Little Shop of Treasures have all signed on to the project, joining the Palm Springs Tribune and the Tool Shed in advocating for improvements that will better serve customers while enhancing the look and feel of Sunny Dunes.
A rendering prepared by Long Beach, CA based Parking Design Group with projects completed in places like West Hollywood and Santa Monica referred by the Palm Springs Tribune illustrates how diagonal parking could significantly increase available spaces, while new trees would add comfort and shade. The coalition of businesses emphasizes that the upgrades would support long-term vitality for the corridor.
City and Community Backing
The plan has also received support from civic leaders. Former Councilmember Lisa Middleton expressed enthusiasm for the concept, and current Councilmember David Ready has likewise voiced his backing.
While City staff initially raised concerns that the proposed angled parking might interfere with a planned bike lane, the local bike coalition has since offered its support, noting that the nearby CV Link provides a safe and convenient option for cyclists.
Looking Ahead
With broad business and community backing, the Sunny Dunes coalition is optimistic about moving the project forward in partnership with the City of Palm Springs. Robert Cole, owner of Tool Shed hopes that the first phase of the project, restriping the street could be done by Leather and Gay Pride.
If approved, the project could transform East Sunny Dunes Road into another community model for how grassroots initiatives can strengthen both the local economy and the everyday experience of residents and visitors.