Palm Springs ‘shocked’ by $105M counteroffer from Section 14 survivors, ‘could easily bankrupt the city’

The City of Palm Springs released a statement saying they were "shocked" and "astounded" by a $105 million counteroffer from the Section 14 survivors group.

Section 14 near downtown Palm Springs was home to hundreds of people, mostly minority families, until the 1950s and 1960s when they were evicted.

The city later participated in clearing those properties.

Check Out: I-Team digs into what really happened in the forced removal of Section 14 families in Palm Springs

The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors launched a campaign calling for the city to right the wrongs. In January , several supporters urged the city council for a resolution.

Last Week I-Team Investigator John White took an in-depth look at newly-released correspondence between the two sides

City officials said the Palm Springs City Council approved $4.3 million in total for Section 14 survivors. Areva Martin , the attorney representing the group, is asking for nearly $105 million, which a city spokeswoman said, "could easily bankrupt the city."

"If this is in fact Ms. Martin’s real offer then Staff is preparing to recommend to the City Council to work with each survivor and/or their descendants on direct cash payments," writes Amy Blaisdell, chief communications officer for the city of Palm Springs.

Last month, the Palm Springs City Council pledged to "right that wrong" in regard to Section 14, agreeing to take several steps for survivors and their descendants.

"My colleagues and I recognize that City funds were used to clear land which housed individuals and "Families who were tenants on the property, including minority groups. We know that we as a city need to right that wrong and in today’s Closed Session we collectively agreed on a number of steps to accomplish that goal," reads a statement by Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein (4/11/24).

Martin also released a statement to News Channel 3 reading in part, "We are looking forward to continuing our negotiations with the city."

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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