Marcel Honoré
The Desert Sun

April 4, 2006 April 4, 2006


Miles Crossing crossed its latest hurdle towards approval Monday, but not all city officials agree with the development's commercial concept.
Keith Brinson, member of the city's Architecture and Landscape Committee said he wants to see a meeting place first and a shopping center second.
"I'm picturing a gathering place," Brinson said. "We don't really have one in the city - you've got resorts, you've got everything else."
A proposed $150 million mixed-use development, Miles Crossing would combine a 129-room condo-hotel managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc., a high-end retail and commercial zone, and 22 single-family homes at the corner of Miles Avenue and Highway 111.
Co-developer Gerald Fogelson said Monday he hopes Miles Crossing will attract high-end clothiers and jewelers, such as those on Park Avenue in New York and Michigan Avenue in Chicago, to rival Palm Desert's El Paseo shopping area.
It's one of two mixed-use projects in the works for Indian Wells, along with a similar Remington Hotel project planned near the tennis garden, expected to bring in new city revenue.
The committee unanimously approved updated designs for the Fairmont hotel on Monday. It approved the commercial leg too - but Brinson dissented.
Miles Crossing co-developer Michael Kiner presented the committee with extensive revisions to the commercial design, aimed at "softening" the site with more open space and pedestrian-friendly pathways.
Kiner pointed out that the new plan had eight distinct open spaces for shoppers to stop and sit. "I don't think we're disagreeing at all with (Brinson's) concept," he said.

At the previous committee meeting, members said they felt the commercial leg appeared too rigid and "industrial," with a street cutting straight through.
Vice Chair Francis Wong said Kiner offered a solid revision, given the challenges to build retail on this narrow, 120,000-square-foot stretch of land sandwiched between Highway 111 and the Whitewater River Wash.
"It's a very, very difficult site," Wong said. "The city needs to be a bit flexible. I'm pleased with the progress that's been made."
Kiner said the future Wal-Mart in Palm Desert will be larger than the entire Miles Crossing commercial project, which will also include three restaurants and specialty shops in addition to retail.
Brinson said with the will already get extensive retail development with the Remington project around the Tennis Garden.
"You've got to get a place where the people want to sit down, hang out, enjoy the views, and enjoy Indian Wells," Brinson said.
While he disapproved of the latest plan, Brinson added, "I think they're getting close - closer, anyways."
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