Hello La Quinta residents. September is upon us and soon we will mark the official start of Fall in our lovely desert. In most parts of the country the season is marked by signs of autumn color change. In La Quinta our city is experiencing a similar change, with development and improvements changing the city landscape all around us.
In north La Quinta, Measure G funded landscape renovation for the Quinterra Development is underway on the north side of Miles Avenue, between Adams Street and Los Manos Drive and at the Adams Park retention basin. This project entails converting turf to the desert oasis plant palette and adding a new walkway around the Adams Park retention basin, with new lighting and wall cleaning at the development entrances.
Coachella Valley Water District’s Canal Irrigation Pipeline Project is in progress to extend irrigation from SilverRock Resort to La Quinta Resort down Avenue 52, Washington and Calle Tampico. During a two-week period, the bike lane and a single lane of westbound traffic on Avenue 52 between the Silver Rock Resort and Washington Street will be closed. One lane of westbound traffic will remain open. The project should be complete by February 2019.
The 2017/18 Pavement Management Plan (PMP) improvements are underway throughout the City, slurrying over 1,500,000 square feet of pavement, repairing minor potholes and improving striping, including better delineation for bike lanes. There may be intermittent temporary single lane closures throughout the project and it is anticipated to be complete in early October 2018. As a reminder, all road closures and project updates can be found on the City’s website.
With so much construction and activity happening, we would also like your input! La Quinta is looking to engage contractors, residents and business owners regarding the current building permitting process. A survey is currently available on the City’s website. Information will be used to develop regularly scheduled workshops to encourage active communication, provide information and a forum for discussion with all who are involved in building residential and commercial properties in the City.
Schools across the city have welcomed back our children for another year of learning. Be sure and observe all traffic laws while driving in school zones and stay alert! Our Motorcycle officers and traffic officers from the La Quinta Police Department will be out in full force ensuring the safety of returning students, with an increased presence in and around our schools. Our goal is to enhance the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Together we can keep La Quinta an accident free zone for our youth this school year. You will also see some changes near La Quinta High School, with the SB821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program grant funded ADA ramp improvement project at Adams Street and Blackhawk Way now complete.
The event and art seasons are starting to come alive as well. Brew in LQ is coming November 17th to Civic Center Park, tickets are on sale now at www.playinlaquinta.com/brew. All those in attendance receive ten 4-ounce pours while enjoying live music and a selection of food trucks to feed their inner foodie. This event is growing every year so secure your tickets in advance!
On the art front, check out the Sunline buses as they travel through La Quinta. Our City is a sponsor for the Sunline Student Art Contest Bus. The artists chosen for this project showcase the beauty of the Coachella Valley, as well as the ways Sunline buses are helping the environment.
While September is abuzz with activity, our community will also take a moment to pause and reflect on a somber occasion. On the evening of September 11th you are invited to attend a candlelight vigil honoring the victims and first responders of the attacks from September 11, 2001. This free event will be held at Civic Center Park at 7:00 PM.
We look forward to a great September in La Quinta. As we welcome back families from Summer vacations and our centers of commerce come alive for the shopping season, be sure and take a moment to enjoy everything the city has to offer. To keep track of all the events and happenings in La Quinta, check out the new Play in La Quinta website at www.PlayInLaQuinta.com. The new site features a clean and modern look and feel that helps both locals and visitors navigate to find things to do around La Quinta. There is something for everyone!
By: Frank J. Spevacek,
La Quinta City Manager
