Cities of the CV
There are nine incorporated cities that make up the Coachella Valley, each with unique qualities. Over the next several weeks CV Weekly will take a look at their contributions to the CV. To read about the cities already covered, go www.coachellavalleyweekly.com and click on archive.
Rancho Mirage
By Heidi Simmons
Incorporated in August 1973, the City of Rancho Mirage celebrates forty years of a relaxed and luxurious lifestyle. Walk, bike or drive through the community and you’ll see wide streets with manicured mediums. The business centers, resorts and neighborhoods reflect consistent quality and pleasing design.
Since its incorporation, the city has always had a balance budget and a surplus every year. With a population over 17,000 year-round residents and 28,000 in season, it is a community made up of communities. There are 150 homeowner associations. The city makes sure to provide the services the population needs — and desires.
“The Santa Rosa Mountains give us a unique backdrop. We take pride in the aesthetics. It is something we work hard at,” said Randal Bynder, City Manager. “Its the attention to detail that sets us apart.” Bynder has worked with the city for 26 years. He has been city manager since February 2012.
According to Bynder, in the days of Redevelopment funding, the city of Rancho Mirage used some of that money to put the utility poles underground, build flood control and widen roads and Hwy 111. Rancho Mirage is approximately 25 square miles and the city has 15 square miles of roadways to maintain. Eighty percent of the usable city space is already developed. Rancho Mirage made the decision to limit its sphere of influence and only build for a maximum year-round population of 25,000 residents.
On the horizon is the “Section 19 Specific Plan.” It is a 315-acre parcel adjacent to the Auga Caliente Casino that will eventually be a town center that includes hotels, entertainment, retail shops, offices and housing. Set at the city’s Interstate 10 entrance, the plan promises to be an exciting destination.
The Ritz Carlton Hotel will finally make its rebooted debut this year. The long abandoned and much anticipated resort will have a soft opening in April and grand opening in October. It is certain to once again be an elegant retreat.
Last week, the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce held their 18th annual Rammy Awards. With over 350 members the Chamber has 14 categories that recognize exemplary businesses, a businessman and woman of the year, a rising star business and new business. They include a Special Recycling Award and recognize a Distinguished Citizen. Former City Manager Patrick Pratt was selected as the Distinguished Citizen for 2013. Pratt served Rancho Mirage from 1990 to 2012 and was acknowledge and honored in front of 165 people at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort.
According to Stuart Ackley, Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce CEO, the chamber takes nominations, creates a ballot and its members vote.
With 72 restaurants in Rancho Mirage, the Chamber actively produces a Rancho Mirage dining guide for the valley and slick publications for the community that highlights and celebrates their great eateries.
One of the Chamber’s winners was the Sunnylands Center and Gardens, which is a new addition of the Annenberg Estate. Often referred to as the Camp David of the West Coast, the Annenberg’s Rancho Mirage Estate, Sunnylands, has been a retreat for presidents, celebrities and dignitaries for decades. It is still committed to global diplomacy and holds significant political events.
In 2012, it opened the 17,000 square foot facility as a place to learn more about the mission of Walter and Lenore Annenberg’s commitment to country, philanthropy, art and education.
The city’s heart and soul, pride and joy, may be the award winning Rancho Mirage Library. Owned by the city, it offers a wide variety of year round culture to the CV. Besides a terrific collection of books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and newspapers, there are weekly cultural events. The Rancho Mirage Library Foundation hosts music, lectures, films, art exhibits, discussions and much more.
The state of the art facility has a children’s room, outdoor amphitheater, public meeting room for an audience of up to 350 people, conference room for 25 and private rooms for small groups. There are 40 computer workstations and a free wireless network. Aspen Mills has a café in the library’s foyer. There is also a used bookstore that sells and takes book donations.
The library provides help for first time internet users. Available to members are online tutoring programs, student support for science projects and homework, and an online interactive multi-language learning program called Mango. The library offers a Teacher’s Card where teachers can check out 50 books at a time for their classrooms. Axis 360 is a library of electronic children’s books and cookbooks. To join the library all you need is a California driver’s license with current address. For those who live in the CV seasonally, a picture ID with proof of local address is all it takes. See the kind and helpful librarians for other ways to obtain a library card.
During the week, Rancho Mirage’s population significantly rises with those who come into town to work, making it one of the valley’s top employers. With world-class doctors and a medical building on nearly every block, the city is a medical Mecca.
The Eisenhower Medical Center employs approximately 2,400 people. Opened in 1971, it has been a leader in patient care. In July of this year it will become a school for graduate medical education and research. Sixteen medical school graduates will undertake their three-year residency training in Internal Medicine and Family Medicine. And six will participate in one-year resident positions to train in a specialty. Its graduate program has affiliations with USC’s Keck School of Medicine, Loma Linda University’s Medical School and several others quality medical schools around the country.
Scott Hines is the current Mayor of Rancho Mirage. Residents do not elect a Mayor. Every year, the city uses a rotation of council members determined by seniority. “We have one of the most harmonious city councils and the community is happy.” The last council election was cancelled per city regulation since there were no applications filled to run against those who currently hold office.
One of the Mayor’s goals during his term is to work on energy efficiency. “We are exploring ways for the city to get off the grid.” There are already improvements to the transportation yard and the city is currently looking at programs for residents and considering a large solar project near the I-10.
“We have a healthy, relaxed, quality lifestyle,” said Hines. “People here live healthier and longer lives. We are committed to a rich cultural experience and a beautiful and luxurious environment.” For 40 years, the City of Rancho Mirage has maintained a consistent vision.
