Indio Receives $4M Grant From California Natural Resources Agency

INDIO, CA — A more than $4 million grant from the California Natural Resources Agency will cover the costs of a needed stormwater drainage system in downtown Indio, as well as the installation of rain gardens and the planting of nearly 200 trees, city officials announced Monday.

The city will use the $4,114,572 grant to fully fund its Civic Center Storm Drain Project.

The project includes building a drainage mainline on Requa Avenue from Oasis Street down to Jackson Street, where there is currently no storm drain, with interconnecting storm drains on adjacent downtown streets.

In addition to the drainage system, the plans call for redesigning Marshall Parkway into a Green Street by installing a drainage swale and planting about 90 new trees along the thoroughfare.

Another estimated 100 trees and some rain gardens will be planted throughout the project area, including on Oasis Street, Smurr Street and Requa Avenue to help capture and filter storm water before it enters the drainage system.

"In addition to the significant improvement in flood prevention, this project will support the city's efforts to make downtown a more vibrant and pedestrian friendly place for people to gather," said Mayor Elaine Holmes.

Indio will have approximately three years to complete the project, with design taking place in 2022, according to city officials.