CATHEDRAL CITY — Construction on the once-threatened, $37.7 million Roadrunner Motors project is back solidly on track and slated to open in spring 2027, College of the Desert leaders recently assured the City Council.

Construction  paid for with Measure CC money, is currently underway at 67905 E. Palm Canyon Drive. The 26,020 gross-square-foot building will include two classrooms, two automotive labs, one computer lab, 14 bays and one conference room.

Students will be able to earn both degrees and certificates such as: Associate of Science degree in Automotive Technology, Certificates of Achievement and Completion, and focus on specific areas like electrical systems, engine management, and air conditioning.

The curriculum is aligned with National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation standards, which covers a wide range of topics, including engine diagnostics, electronic and hybrid/electric vehicle systems, emissions, and braking and suspension systems.

Instructors and students will work closely with industry partners, such as Ford, Subaru, and Mopar, to ensure students are trained on current technologies used by major manufacturers.

“This project reflects COD’s four strategic pillars, expanding access to education, addressing basic needs of our students, strengthening enrollment, and building engagement,” Scott Adkins, Director of Education Centers for the West Valley, for College of the Desert, told City Council members, “Together with the city, we’re creating something that will honor Cathedral City’s history, strengthen its presence, and define its future.”

Cathedral City has long been known as a hub of hard-working people and resilience, with deep roots in the automotive industry, from dealerships to service centers that anchor the local businesses here, Adkins said. “This project includes general and specialized classrooms and a teaching laboratory with lifts, active storage, an electric charging station, a CNG filling station are also planned, a small amount of office space along with an industry partner conference room, parking for class vehicles as part of the instructional program, and parking for students and faculty. As you know, the site is near one of the largest concentrations of automobile repair shops, part stores, body shops, rental car and auto dealerships in the Coachella Valley.

Recently, one of our students, Jesse, a Cathedral City resident, shared that he lost his job but refused to give up. He always dreamed of working in the automotive field, and COD gave him the entry point he needed. When he was told about our plans for a Roadrunner Motors right here in Cathedral City, he was ecstatic, Adkins shared, “He said, ‘COD is helping me believe in myself again, and my teachers are the best mentors I’ve ever had.’ ”

This project advances both Jesse’s goals and Cathedral City’s goals, diversifying the economy, building a workforce pipeline, and strengthening the city’s identity as a center of opportunity, Adkins said. “Each milestone we have achieved reflects progress not just for College of the Desert, but for Cathedral City’s long-term vision. The city has invested heavily in redevelopment, creating a vibrant core that attracts residents and visitors alike. Roadrunner Motors will be an anchor in that vision, drawing students, businesses, and families here. We are not the only thing that’s going on in Cathedral City, and we see it going up all over the place. And congratulations to you all.

“This rendering isn’t about a building, it’s about place- making,” he said, “Cathedral City has always seen itself as a hub, centrally located, serving as a connector across the Coachella Valley. Roadrunner Motors enhances that identity, positioning Cathedral City as the home of the Valley’s future workforce in automotive and mobility industries. Imagine Jesse walking into this space for the first time, not seeing classrooms and labs, but seeing his city invest in him. This facility symbolizes the partnership between College of the Desert and Cathedral City, where student success and civic pride interact.”

The Roadrunner Motors campus will transform lives, Adkins said. Students will graduate with industry-ready skills and work straight into stable jobs. This is what Cathedral City envisioned, a local workforce preparing to meet the needs of today’s industries and tomorrow’s opportunities. “By helping students secure a living wage career, we address the students’ basic needs while advancing the city’s economic vitality. COD’s Roadrunner Automotive Program has a long-standing reputation for producing highly-skilled graduates who excel in the automotive industry. With the new facility, the program aims to elevate its impact and further contribute to meeting the workforce needs in the automotive sector. Students enrolled in the program will have access to cutting-edge diagnostic tools, computerized systems, and a range of vehicles for practical training. The Roadrunner Motors building is designed to stimulate real-world automotive scenarios, ensuring that the graduates are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the rapidly evolving automotive landscape.”

Roadrunner Motors and Cathedral City’s story is as much as it is COD’s story, Adkins said. “It honors the city’s history in the automotive sector, reinforces its identity as the heart of the Valley, and strengthens its economic future. It is also Jesse’s story. It is the story of Cathedral City families, and it is the story of what happens when a community invests in itself through education. As COD continues to invest in cutting edge facilities like Roadrunner Motors, the college solidifies its position as a leader in automotive education and support and shapes the future of the industry.”

 

 

 

Image Sources

  • Road Runner Motors: COD