Palm Springs to Move Forever Marilyn Statue, Approves AIDS Memorial Installation

Palm Springs Approves New Locations for Iconic Statues The Palm Springs City Council has approved plans to move the Forever Marilyn statue to a new location within the downtown park. The 26-foot-tall sculpture will be relocated to the park's southeast corner from its current site on Museum Way. The move, scheduled for February 22-28, will position the statue in its new location for the next 25 years. PS Resorts, the statue's owner, will cover the $400,000 moving cost. The decision follows years of legal challenges and public criticism regarding the statue's placement and provocative design. In addition to the relocation of Forever Marilyn, the council approved an AIDS memorial sculpture, The Well of Love, to be installed adjacent to the statue. The design, updated earlier this year after community feedback, will cost $1.2 million, with $125,000 from public art funds. The Palm Springs AIDS Memorial Task Force is fundraising for the remaining costs. Plans aim to complete and unveil the memorial by December 2025, aligning with World AIDS Day. The city’s decision highlights its commitment to honoring art and history, while addressing public concerns about downtown development.