Last month’s column included so much positive news, I decided to attach it again to this month’s column. June 2018 City Manager's Message . We are going to have a very busy summer working to activate the very ambitious capital project plan that has been adopted and funded by the City Council.
 
The Council told us to go BOLD (with capital letters!) to bring about the physical and service upgrades Indio deserves. We have embarked on the most aggressive street repaving work in many years — both major streets like Highway 111 and many local streets. It is a multi-year program which should be very noticeable. 
 
We will also begin the design process for a new, long overdue, Police Station and communications center. And we will be working on some important park projects, bridge repairs, neighborhood sidewalk and ADA improvements and more.
 
Much of this is possible thanks to the voter-approved Measure X funding. Other projects are supported by regional or federal funding sources. We are fortunate to have support from both private and governmental partners.
 
And we continue to be enthusiastic about the College of the Desert expansion, the Loma Linda University Children’s Clinic and the inspiring programming being done by the Coachella Valley History Museum and by Desert Theaterworks at the Indio Performing Arts Center.
 
Retail interest in Indio continues to grow. The Haagen Company is working on plans to redevelop the Indio Fashion Mall, incorporating the vacant 20 acres behind it. The Rothbart Company is expanding on its Walmart site, adding a 12-screen movie theater and a Hampton Inn. Nearby, the new Fairfield Inn & Suites is nearing completion and a new Golden Corral restaurant is planned. Across Jackson, we are sorry to see Toys "R" Us go, but we are told that new tenants are already lining up to fill the space.
 
It may be summer but it is a great time to be in Indio!