The City of Palm Springs is encouraging residents and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the events of Section 14 by exploring a wide range of informative materials and historical documents. These resources are now accessible online at EngagePalmSprings.com.
Section 14 refers to a one-square-mile tract located adjacent to downtown Palm Springs. Between 1956 and 1969, properties in this area - many serving as makeshift homes for renters - were subjected to burning and demolition due to health concerns raised by the County of Riverside and ongoing development initiatives.
On April 11, 2024, following thoughtful and comprehensive discussions, the City of Palm Springs committed to a series of programmatic actions aimed at addressing the events that occurred in Section 14. A central component of these equity efforts involves developing an in-depth understanding of the history and significance of Section 14, along with its implications for present-day communities.
Last week, under the direction of the City Council, the City launched a dedicated webpage to address the events of Section 14. On this page, they released a series of fact sheets designed to:
- Explore the history of Section 14 throughout the 20th century.
- Answer key questions that residents and stakeholders may have about recently announced equity efforts.
- Provide a timeline outlining the City’s work on addressing Section 14 thus far.
This week, an additional resource was posted on the website: "Section 14 Historical Slide Deck". This presentation delves into greater detail about Section 14's history using key historical documents, photographs, and maps. These materials were created after extensive reviews and analyses of historic city documents.
For further information or inquiries, please contact Chief Communications Officer Amy Blaisdell at Amy.Blaisdell@palmspringsca.gov.