Downtown Indio Becoming Magnet for Activity

Trio of Restaurants Approved for Downtown Indio

INDIO – City Councilmembers are positioning downtown Indio to become a thriving hubbub of entertainment and eateries — and it’s being done strategically.

Last month, the city announced that it is renewing its effort to bring additional culture, entertainment and activities to the Valley’s original downtown, Downtown Indio. To that end, the city of Indio is releasing a “request for qualifications” (RFQ) for vendors and promoters to produce monthly events.

The city, known as the City of Festivals, is currently designing a complete ‘plug-and-play’ venue for musicians and entertainers in downtown Indio at Miles Avenue and Smurr Street for events to be held on the second Saturday of the month beginning in early 2022.

This month, Indio City Councilmembers unanimously approved a draft lease agreement with local development partners who are committed to operating a number of restaurants in a city-owned parcel of land in historic downtown.

The restaurants on Miles Avenue are expected to build out in two phases. The first phase will include a bar, grill and taphouse, a separate sushi restaurant, along with outdoor dining and entertainment space.  A second phase of development will include a third restaurant or a small retail location.

The agreement with the developer includes an investment of substantial property improvements to the locations at the southeast corner of Miles Avenue and Towne Street.

“We look forward to bringing more projects of this caliber to downtown Indio,” said Mayor Waymond Fermon.  “This is just one part of the activation that is happening right now.”

A request for qualifications for promoters and entertainers was recently issued by the City to attract foot traffic and entertainment to a location adjacent to the restaurants.  In addition, the City Council approved the long-term loan of the large-scale artwork Colossal Cacti to downtown, which was featured at the Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival in 2019.