Indio is one of the fastest growing cities in the Coachella Valley, and that does not even count the 1.4 million visitors that converge on the city each year because of its popular attractions like the Coachella Valley Music Festival.  A lack of a funding and resources has left the city without the tools and plans it needs to grow and accommodate its new reality. The city been undergoing a General Plan update for the past six months, and now will have the opportunity to address its transportation troubles thanks to SB1 funding. 

The city will use the $391,745 it recently received in SB1 funds to identify potential locations for the construction of a multi-modal transportation facility that aims to connect intercity rail, rapid bus transit and local and regional buses. City manager Mark Scott hopes this new transportation hub will not only alleviate the heavy traffic in the city, but that it will provide a better way for the city to grow.

 “We have the opportunity to think about our transportation systems and do things right, “says Indio City Manager Mark Scott. “If we don’t do this, we will just be a city with a bunch of cars standing still on our streets.”

Housing developments have been popping up all over the city, but it does still have many older deteriorating neighborhoods. Scott says the state funding is allowing his city to look for solutions for a better future for all of its current and future residents. “A great city doesn’t ignore the condition of any neighborhood. California needs cities that are receptive to building new housing. We can do more than our fair share, if we plan it right.”