City of Palm Springs & Desert Community College District Reach Agreement Ending Disputes and Reaffirm College’s Commitment to Completion of Palm Springs Campus

PALM DESERT — After a two-year dispute, the city of Palm Springs and College of the Desert have agreed to lay down their swords and focus on fulfilling a 20-year promise of building a Palm Springs campus.

The Desert Community College District (College) and the City of Palm Springs (City) have reached an agreement that reaffirms the College’s commitment to building the Palm Springs Development Project and settles both a dispute related to a College-owned parcel of land and a California Public Records Act lawsuit, originally filed in 2022, according to a COD-issued news release. The resolution, which involves no admission of wrongdoing by either party, underscores a renewed level of collaboration and community engagement between the College and the City.

“We are pleased with this resolution and look forward to strengthening our partnership with the City of Palm Springs,” Laura Hope, the College’s Interim Superintendent/President, said in a statement. “This agreement allows us to refocus our primary efforts to serving students and advancing the Palm Springs Campus project, a critical element of our shared vision for the region.”

Coachella Valley voters approved bond measure B in 2004 to direct funds to help the College build and maintain new facilities. This bond measure amounted to $346.5 million. In 2016, Measure CC was also approved for similar purposes, adding another $577.8 million. These measures were approved with the understanding that a campus would be built in Palm Springs, and other communities.

In 2019, the College acquired the Palm Springs Mall site for the purposes of building a Palm Springs Campus. At the end of 2021, the City of Palm Springs began making requests for public records regarding the expected campus. The College produced responsive documentation productions, but the City, at the time, disputed the level of response. This agreement puts these disputes to rest and reiterates the College’s commitment for the completion of a $405.7 million dollar Palm Springs Campus with a groundbreaking in 2024 and completion in 2027 and allows the College and City to move forward in a spirit of collaboration.

The agreement also provides that the City will release any interest that City has to real property in Northern Palm Springs, which the City gave to the College in 2010 for the development of the Palm Springs Campus at that property.  If the College fails to complete the campus as promised, the City will be able to acquire the north Palm Springs property along Tramview Road at no cost.

With these legal matters resolved, both the College and the City are eager to move forward, focusing on the future. College of the Desert is actively preparing for the Palm Springs Campus groundbreaking and celebration, scheduled for Nov. 14.

Since its founding in 1958, College of the Desert has been a cornerstone of higher education in the Coachella Valley, shaping the future of thousands of students and contributing to the region’s economic and cultural vibrancy. The Palm Springs Campus represents a major milestone in the College’s long-term strategic vision, positioning it to better serve the diverse and growing population of Palm Springs and beyond.

“This settlement marks a positive step forward, allowing us to continue working closely with the College to benefit all of the stakeholders in the Coachella Valley,” Scott Stiles, City Manager of Palm Springs, said in a statement.

The Palm Springs Campus, set to open fall 2027, will provide programs tailored to equip students with the skills necessary for success in the regional workforce while also facilitating seamless university transfers. Key offerings will include hospitality, culinary arts, casino management, digital media, entertainment, healthcare education, and sustainable technology. The campus will be a transformative addition to the educational landscape of the Coachella Valley.

To learn more about plans for the Palm Springs Campus, please visit https://codbond.wpengine.com.