College Of The Desert Expansion Projects: Transparency Promised

PALM DESERT, CA — The College of the Desert Board of Trustees said it is committed to "an open and transparent process for all upcoming decisions related to expansion, repair, and modernization projects funded by publicly approved bond measures."

The commitment comes following a Jan. 21 board meeting. For example, college staff is now studying various alternative sites for the Roadrunner Motors center. In October it was announced that a Cathedral City location was nixed after a fiscal review determined costs at the planned location were "exorbitantly higher" than previously anticipated. The Roadrunner program offers automotive and advanced transportation learning.

The board is now considering three locations for the center, including the original site, and will choose the final space during an open meeting later this year, according to the college.

The board also heard plans during the Jan. 21 meeting for the COD Palm Springs campus, which is about one-third of the way through schematic design. Due to increased materials and labor costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, construction will likely kick off in a phased approach, according to the college.

In the meantime, college leadership is developing a district-wide total cost of ownership
plan and will hire a consultant to validate a master plan study from 2016, officials said. Following those steps will be input from faculty, staff, student advisory groups, and others.

“Faculty involvement, feedback on the plans and a robust assessment of community
needs are fundamental to a successful design process and will result in the best
educational services to our students and community,” said COD Superintendent/President
Martha Garcia.

Other bond projects slated for 2023 and 2024 include an expansion and renovation of
the campus in Indio and the addition of a child development center, an overhaul of the
science building on the Palm Desert campus, along with improvement of the athletic
stadium and fields. These projects are on track to be completed on time, according to the college.

“We are dedicated to providing the latest information to our constituents about the use
of public funds to improve educational facilities at College of the Desert across the
Coachella Valley,” Board Chair Rubén AríAztlán Pérez said.

Board members will meet regularly with the college’s legal counsel and staff to ensure that
projects continue to move forward and funds are spent responsibly, according to COD.

Coachella Valley voters passed Measure B in 2004 and Measure CC in 2016, which
together provided $924.3 million for improvements to meet curriculum and community
needs.

A Jan. 21 board meeting recap is available on College of the Desert’s YouTube channel. Additional
information is available at collegeofthedesert.edu.