PD Chamber Of Commerce Opposed To Whitewater Jail Location

The Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce has concerns that the proposed detention center at the entrance of the Coachella Valley in Whitewater – which is meant to ease jail overcrowding – will have a negative impact on the city’s economy.

Barbara deBoom, president of the chamber, said the PDCC supports a new jail in Riverside County, just not at the proposed Whitewater site.

“We fully understand the need for a facility like Whitewater,” she said. “But we have serious – and, we think, legitimate – concerns that a detention facility of this scale located at the entrance of Coachella Valley could negatively impact commerce in the region.”

Her comments come as both proponents and opponents of the proposed jail are working to hire a research firm to compile an unbiased study of the project’s impact on the Coachella Valley’s economy.

Palm Desert – like Palm Springs – relies heavily on tourism.

During a meeting last month, Riverside County officials and members of the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention and Visitors Authority agreed to commission a destination-impact study.

Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, whose district encompasses the Coachella Valley, has hailed that decision.

If the project – officially named The Riverside County Regional Detention Center – comes to fruition as planned, a 7,200-bed jail facility will be built on 200-acre site at Whitewater, just east of Cabazon.

Prior to last month’s meeting, both sides had commissioned studies independently – the results of which differed with respect to the project’s economic impact.

Critics have expressed fear that the presence of a sprawling detention facility at the entrance of Coachella Valley will tarnish Palm Springs' image as a world-class resort destination during a slow economy.

Proponents see the project as a win-win for the county and the valley.

Referring to a county-sponsored report during a presentation to CVA members and other guests at last month’s meeting, Supervisor Benoit pointed to a number of benefits, chief among them more jobs for area residents and increased economic activity in the valley.

Now, two weeks later, both sides seem to be on the same page about the need for an unbiased impact study.

Julius Kazen, president of the Palm Springs Hospitality Association, said the study is a step in the right direction.

“To their credit, the county reached out to the CVA to commission a joint economic impact study,” he said. “We’ll be looking for a marketing/economic research firm that will not be influenced by either side – not by us and not by the county. Hopefully we’ll have someone on board to help us determine what our next step should be within the next four to six weeks.”