Wanted: Ideas on Highway 111 Specific Plan

Indio kicks off Highway 111 specific plan community meetings

INDIO – With roughly 25,000 vehicles passing through some portion of the 3.9 mile stretch of Highway 111every day, it is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in Indio.

The popular Highway 111 corridor through Indio also has the highest concentration of service businesses, restaurants and grocery stores in the City.

As the City works to improve and develop this significant location, public ideas are vital to formulating the “Highway 111 Corridor Specific Plan.” A specific plan outlines detailed development standards, land uses and infrastructure requirements, and provides a road map for how a certain geographic area will be used and developed.

The City’s Community Development Department will host a series of three public meetings to work on the Specific Plan project, beginning Tuesday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m.  These meetings will serve to gather information and ideas about the future of Highway 111 between Indio Boulevard and Jefferson Street.

“Highway 111 is the spine of the City and is home to all sectors of our community,” said Kevin Snyder, AICP, Director of Community Development. “As we develop the future vision for its revitalization, we want to hear from business owners, property owners and residents in the Corridor as well as other community members to help guide our planning efforts.”

The Highway 111 Corridor Specific Plan project will incorporate strategies for a minimum of 500 new housing units, options to improve the way it looks, and increase economic development opportunities to meet the needs of residents and businesses.

The City received a $310,000 State of California Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) Planning Grant to consult with BAE Urban Economics on the project.  SB 2 provides funding and technical assistance to help cities prepare, adopt, and implement plans that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production.

The first community meeting will be virtual, and streamed live on the City’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube Page.  Future meetings are scheduled for September 11 at 6:30 p.m. and December 9 at 6:30 p.m. and may be virtual, in person or a ere. format.

Thoughts and ideas can also be shared with the City via email at Hwy111SP@indio.org.