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Community Update
By Dr. Stone James, Economic Development Director
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Don’t Let COD Take Away Roadrunner Motors
from Cathedral City and Give It to Indio
This will be the single most important Community Update and call to action the Economic Development Department has written this year. College of the Desert previously promised Cathedral City that it would build the $28.5 million Roadrunner Motors at the Cathedral City Auto Center “to maximize student participation and to create a pipeline for jobs in the region. The location is within the largest concentration of automobile dealerships, repair shops, parts stores, body shops, and car rental agencies in the Coachella Valley. COD will help provide the training and skills needed for community members to access well-paying local jobs.” This location was ideal as it is located along Highway 111 providing easy access to public transportation for COD students to get to and from classes for free.
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That was then. With a new College president/superintendent (Dr. Martha Garcia) and a split Board of Trustees, the college recently announced that it was abandoning the Cathedral City location after purchasing the land and spending taxpayer money on architectural plans. Construction was to begin this summer. Instead, the college decided to pivot on their promise to Cathedral City and look at a location for Roadrunner Motors in Indio depriving our students of auto technician internships and jobs while going to college, and access to public transportation options to get to and from class.
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Cathedral City taxpayers voted overwhelmingly to support two COD bond measures worth almost $1 billion to build not only Roadrunner Motors in Cathedral City, but also a West Valley Campus in Palm Springs for our students to have greater access to a higher education. The new West Valley Campus would serve not only Cathedral City (2nd largest city in the Coachella Valley) but also Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs (the fastest growing city in the Coachella Valley).
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The new College president/superintendent along with a split Board of Trustees has put the West Valley Campus in Palm Springs on “Pause”. There has been no activity on this project in almost a year. This pivot, too, is after the college purchased the old Palm Springs mall at $22 million, tore it down, and spent millions of dollars more on architectural plans. Between 50% and 60% of the architectural plans have already been conducted. Construction on the West Valley Campus was to begin in 2023 and the first phase completed in 2025. The West Valley Campus was to offer signature programs in culinary and hospitality with their own learning-centered culinary art restaurant and hotel. They hired the best consultants to design these innovative programs. In December, those consultants have been “let go.” They were also going to offer health science, and digital film and television curriculums. These have also been put on “pause.”
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Additionally, the college has collaborated with Cal Poly Pomona to offer a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture by allowing students to get their first two years of college at the West Valley Campus and automatically transfer into Cal Poly Pomona for the next two years, and then intern their fifth and final year back in Palm Springs to learn modernism architecture. The new president/superintendent and a split Board of Trustees have pivoted on this collaboration too.
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The Pause and Pivot by the new president/superintendent along with a split Board of Trustees is not happening for projects in the East Valley. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The doubling of the Indio Campus is still on track along with a new child development center there. Plus, the college has recently expanded classes in Coachella and purchased new land there. They have even spoken about building a new campus in Coachella where it is only a five-minute drive to the expanded East Valley Campus in Indio.
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The new college president/superintendent along with a split Board of Trustees has given so many failed excuses for abandoning Roadrunner Motors in Cathedral City and pausing the West Valley Campus in Palm Springs. First, the new president stated that a feasibility study had not been done prior to moving forward on these projects. She later recanted that argument as the feasibility study was located by the media on the college’s website and had been done in 2016. Second, the cost for Roadrunner Motors had increased by 70% since its initial estimate of $20 million and that was the cause to abandon the project. The costs have increased as the college expanded the size of the building and construction prices have risen over time since the initial estimate was done. However, the need for the program still exists as more and more people are keeping their automobiles longer. Whether it is $28.5 million or $30 million or $35 million to build, the college has nearly a $1 billion in funds. Their argument that a new Roadrunner Motors is “too expensive” in Cathedral City, but not in Indio seems implausible. Additionally, the expansion costs of the Indio Campus has increased over 100% since its initial estimate ($30 million to $67 million) and there has been absolutely nothing said by the college about its cost overruns nor has the project been put on “pause.” Most recently, the new college president/superintendent has stated that COVID-19 has caused enrollments to drop significantly and that the new programs may not be needed now.
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Although COVID-19 has affected every industry at some point or another, the leading West Valley industries still remain as they were before COVID-19: Tourism (Culinary, Hospitality), Automotive, Health Care, Modern Architecture, and Digital Art and Film. These industries will continue to dominate our economy today and well into the future as far as the eye can see. My argument is, if you don’t build the educational facilities, our students (young and old) cannot come to learn the skills to support these industries.
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So, how can you help? On February 17th, the COD Board of Trustees, during its regular monthly meeting, will deliberate on moving the Cathedral City Roadrunner Motors to another location in the East Valley. Please attend via Zoom or email Dr. Martha Garcia and let her know that the West Valley deserves what was promised to us, what we have been paying our taxes for, and what we frankly deserve.
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No New STVR Permits Will Be Issued in R-1 and R-2 Zoned Neighborhoods
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The City Council passed an urgency ordinance Wednesday night immediately halting the issuance of any new Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) permits in R-1 and R-2 residential neighborhoods. This would include homes located in Community Interest Developments (a.k.a. Homeowners Associations – HOAs). Currently, there are no existing permitted STVRs in a common interest development in the R-1 or R-2 zoned neighborhoods. … Read more
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State Indoor Mask Mandate to Expire on Tuesday
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Governor Newsom announced this week that the State Indoor Mask Mandate will expire on Tuesday, February 15, mainly due to a 65% drop in COVID-19 cases since the peak of the Omicron variant back in January. This means that fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a face mask indoors; however, unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear a … Read more
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COD President/Superintendent Martha Garcia to Respond to Questions on Planned West Valley Campus at Palm Springs City Council Meeting on Thursday, February 10
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Cathedral City residents are encouraged to join the zoom meeting or call in with their comments The City of Cathedral City has been notified by the City of Palm Springs that Dr. Martha Garcia, the College of the Desert’s newly hired president/superintendent, along with other college representatives, will be on hand for an update and discussion with the City … Read more
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Notice of Community Meeting Consolidated Plan/ Annual Action Plan (2022-2027)
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The City of Cathedral City invites you to attend a virtual community meeting to discuss the development of the City's 2022-2027 Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. The meeting will provide community stakeholders a forum to express their views on the needs of low-income residents and the development of these plans. … Read more
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Taste of Jalisco Festival Happens this Weekend
(February 11 – 13)
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Get outdoors and enjoy a beautiful weekend at the 6th Annual Taste of Jalisco Festival in Downtown Cathedral City! Free festival admission and free parking! The Taste of Jalisco Festival is proud to present a multi-act evening of music with a special headlining performance of Mexico Lindo by Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles (BFLA) and Mariachi …Read more
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Construction has begun on the new dog park at Panorama Park
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6th Annual Taste of Jalisco
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Music, Tequila Tasting, Carnival, Artisan Vendors & Authentic Cuisine The 6th Annual Taste of Jalisco, produced by Soundskilz Inc, celebrates the sister city relationship between the cities of Cathedral City, California (USA) and Tequila, Jalisco (Mexico) through music, fashion, spirits, culture and cuisine in Downtown Cathedral City. Live musical performances throughout the weekend and a special … Read more
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Professional Yoga Instructor Patti Wexler The Cathedral City Parks and Community Events Commission proudly brings Free Yoga Classes to the new Cathedral City Community Amphitheater in Downtown Cathedral City every Tuesday morning at 10 am starting on February 1, 2022, through April 26, 2022. The free classes will be taught by professional Yoga instructor Patti Wexler. No need to RSVP, … Read more
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Dinner with Patsi Fundraiser for
Cathedral City Senior Center
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Patsi is looking to raise some “green” for the Cathedral City Senior Center during the monthly “Dinner with Patsi” charity benefit. Prior to Wednesday, February 16, call Bubba's Bones & Brews Restaurant at (760) 699-7231 and order your meal choice, then on February 16th, go to Bubba's Bones & Brews to dine-in or pick-up your dinner(s) curbside … Read more
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Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic
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The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic is the nation’s largest and most prestigious preseason college softball tourney, featuring more than 25 top Division I teams. It has hosted Team USA as an opportunity for preparing our Olympic athletes for the best competition. Celebrating its 17th year, the Cathedral City, California event will occur on February 24-27, 2020. The lineup of teams … Read more
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“City Hall at Your Corner” Happens February 24 – Register Now
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Register now for February's virtual “City Hall at Your Corner” as Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez and Councilmember Mark Carnevale host the event for an informal discussion of issues in Cathedral City. Please welcome the community discussion's special guest, Fire Chief John Muhr, who will also provide an update on public safety. This virtual event will take place on Thursday, February, 24, … Read more
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First Fridays Art Walk on Perez Road
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Looking for an opportunity to walk and view some amazing art at the same time? Then come to First Fridays Art Walk on Perez Road from 5 pm to 8 pm. The row of art galleries are located at 68845 & 68895 Perez Road in the “H” and “I” Read more
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Tejano PowerHouse Entertainment, City of Cathedral City, and Diaz Enterprises invites you to the 4th annual Tejano Music Fest in Cathedral City featuring the best Tejano music, fiesta food, and spirits on Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 5 pm to 11 pm at our new location, the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, 68526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, in Cathedral City … Read more
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Join the Cathedral City Parks & Community Events Commission, the Cathedral City Public Library, and S.C.R.A.P. Gallery for the “Butterfly Festival” on Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 10 am to 1 pm at Panorama Park, 28905 Avenida Maravilla in Cathedral City. Families will learn about the importance of butterflies as pollinators of plants. Pollinators are an essential part of the … Read more
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Directed by Christian Rendon, attendees will have an opportunity to view up to 300 cars including classic, imports, domestic, off-road, golf carts, and motorcycles. Activities also include food trucks, beer garden, arts and craft vendors, and more. The SoCal Auto Show will take place in Downtown Cathedral City at the Festival Lawn and on the 3rd Floor of the Downtown … Read more
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6th Annual Cathedral City LGBT Days
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The 6th Annual Cathedral City LGBT Days celebrates the lives, history, and wonderful accomplishments the LGBT community has contributed in making Cathedral City one of the “most livable” cities in America and a testament to its perfect equality score by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The festival provides an opportunity to recognize the strength in our diversity, appreciate our similarities, … Read more
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- FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE - $36.64 - $47.96 Hourly
- Department: ENGINEERING
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To view current job opportunities, apply for a position, or submit an interest card, please visit joincathedralcity.org
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