CATHEDRAL CITY – A new, 9-acre, freeway-oriented development called The Crossings at Bob Hope is currently under construction at the southeast corner of Bob Hope Drive and Varner Road and includes a hotel.
It will be the first new project, estimated at $50 million, in the recently annexed area of Cathedral City. Major improvements include a 98-room Best Western Plus hotel, a McDonald’s, Starbucks, Taco Bell, and an Arco AM PM Fueling Center, said Chris Parman, Communications/Events Manager. The hotel, described as upper-midscale, will anchor the development. It will include a pool/spa area and exercise room.
Specifically, development of the traveler-oriented commercial center consists of three Drive-thru restaurants: McDonald’s (3,915 square feet), Taco Bell (2,425 square feet), and a Starbucks and Subway located in multi-tenant building (4,995 square feet); an Arco AM/PM service station (4,410 square feet) with a 3,050 square-foot convenience store and a 1,200 square-foot food service area; a Best Western Plus Hotel, and three additional parcels for future development ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 square feet of building area.
The Arco AM/PM features six fuel pump islands, including a separate diesel fueling station at the rear of the site, a convenience market, and 1,200-square-foot food service area with indoor and outdoor seating.
A 4,000-square-foot parcel is targeted for a sit-down restaurant, particularly in light of the hotel not offering meals beyond a continental breakfast, according to a report from Robert Rodriguez, Planning Manager for Community Development.
“The development north of the I-10 at Bob Hope has been a long time in the coming and the developers and staff have done a great job of handling several challenges with the project, Mayor Stan Henry told Uken Report. The project was originally submitted to the City on July 31, 2013.
“This is the first development north of the I-10 in that area and it is going to be the catalyst for future development in that area,” Henry said. “They had to bring in utilities that will help all the future development. We are already getting other developers talking with staff about new projects that soon may be on their way. This is good for the residents of Cathedral City as new development brings more revenue to the city for better services we can provide. Our visitors will have more opportunities for services and a place to stay just off the I-10 and in that area.”
The development materialized because a developer saw the advantages of working with Cathedral City and a great staff with whom they could work, Henry said.
Mayor Stan Henry
“Along with a City Council that has had a great vision for Cathedral City and a willingness to work with developers and investors who share in that vision,” Henry added.
The emerging development comes as Henry prepares to leave office. He is not seeking re-election in November. Admittedly, he said, leaving is a “little bitter sweet.”
“I have been involved with Cathedral City for the past 34 years and have seen a lot of great time. This current City Council has accomplished a lot in the past several years. Are we done? Not by far, but we have put several things in place for the new Council to build on. The new downtown is very close to having sticks coming out of the ground and several of the vacant buildings are being leased with new businesses. I feel good knowing that the city is in a better place now than when I got on City Council and I was a part of the accomplishments.”
The Crossings at Bob Hope can be summed up in two words, Mayor Pro Tem Greg Pettis told Uken Report, “Sales tax.”
Mayor Pro Tem Greg Pettis
“Fast food and coffee could generate $250,000 annually,” Pettis said. Once built out and stable, the hotel could generate upwards of $400,000 and the travel center close to $1 million. That amount of money could provide three police officers, three fire/paramedics, and an assistant planner.”
