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PALM DESERT, CA-The City Council here had approved a land tradewith an Irvine developer in hopes of creating a project includinghigh-end retail space, a hotel and condominiums on its newlyacquired property. Under the deal approved recently by a councilvote, the city will take title to 11.24 acres at Country Club andDesert Willow drives that is valued at $6.2 million.The 11.24 acresis owned by developer Sanderson J. Ray Desert Springs Partners. Inexchange for the title to the 11.24 acres, the city will giveSanderson J. Ray 9.34 acres valued at $3.2 million near PortolaAvenue and Country Club Drive, plus $3 million in cash. The deal isscheduled to close before the end of this year.The land that thecity will receive is next to Desert Springs Marketplace, which isowned by Sanderson J. Ray. The approximately 110,000-sfgrocery-anchored shopping center occupies just over 12 acres and isacross the street from the Marriott Desert Springs Resort &Spa.If the city's plans for the mixed-use project on its new landcome to fruition, the new development will add to a growing list ofretail projects that have turned Palm Desert into one of the topshopping centers of the Coachella Valley. The retail venues in thecity include an enclosed mall, Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert,as well as Desert Crossing and One Eleven Town Center, which haveattracted national tenants.Palm Desert shopping already includesupscale retail in places like the El Paseo district, a mile-longstretch of specialty shops, art galleries, jewelry stores, boutiqueand restaurants. The city bills this district as "the Rodeo Driveof the Desert."