Officials believe Indio will metamorphose in 10 years
By Marie Leech
The Desert Sun
July 2, 2000
INDIO -- While some noticeable changes are taking place now, city officials say Indio will be unrecognizable in
10 years.
In an effort to boost the city’s economy, officials have approved several new housing and commercial developments
recently, with many more to come.
“They will bring in more population, which will attract more business to the local community,” said Gary Werner,
director of development services.
Two new housing developments, Indian Springs and Indian Lakes, will bring about 1,000 new homes to the city. The
project will be completed in three to five years, Werner said.
Grading already has started on the Indian Springs project, which Werner said is the biggest development in the
city’s recent history. It includes 840 new homes and a 21-hole golf course.
“(The developer) has indicated that the homes will start at $200,000, and it’s a gated community,” Werner said.
Indian Lakes will include 71 single-family homes and three man-made lakes.
The private lakes will be used for both boating and water skiing, Werner said.
Also on the 130 acres will be a fourth lake open to the public, a 300-room resort hotel and 150 casitas.
No hotel chains have committed to the project yet.
“We currently have 960 hotel rooms in the city, ranging from budget to moderately priced,” Werner said. “These
will bring a whole new clientele to the city.”
Although not yet approved by the city, Indian Palms Resort Hotel and Wells Marvin Golf Course and Casitas are in
the planning stages.
“Hotels bring in 10 percent tax to the city, so they will increase (the city’s) revenue substantially,” Werner
said.
Many new housing developments also are in the planning stages, but have yet to be approved by the city. “Single
family homes typically don’t generate enough money in tax revenue to cover the cost of providing public services,”
Werner said. “But the higher the income of the residents, the higher the prospect for the city to attract high
sales tax revenue.”
Indio residents will also see a new shopping center anchored by a 100,000-square-foot Ralph’s grocery store at
the corner of Avenue 50 and Jefferson Street.
And Paradise Volkswagen will soon become the fifth dealership added to the I-10 Auto Center.
Richard Romero, longtime resident of Indio, said the city needs to be fixed up.
“We need a bigger retail base so people don’t go to Palm Desert and La Quinta. They’re getting all our business,”
Romero said “I remember when Indio used to be where everybody shopped.”
Werner said the city is doing what it can to broaden the retail base.
“We have staff working on the mall and downtown areas to help us with the planning,” he said.
“Ten years from now, Indio will have a whole new appearance and reputation comparable to the rest of the valley.”
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