Indio Arts Center renovation facing budget obstacles

The Indio Public Arts Commission on Tuesday learned more about the progress on the Indio Arts Center renovation.

Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, the city’s director of economic development, told commissioners the renovation of the 14,000 square foot building at 45140 Towne Street has encountered significant budget obstacles.

“This one has been such a struggle to get a contractor on board,” Ramirez-Cornejo said. “First, it’s finding everything approved and ready to go with the architect and finding deficiencies and structural code violation, fire violations, [and] there was quite a few damages.”

The city received three contractor proposals ranging from $600,000 to $2.1 million, most exceeding the original $1 million budget. Ramirez-Cornejo said the lowest bid for $600,000 contained numerous exclusions that would have required additional contractors and costs.

Staff is exploring the possibility of securing $800,000 from other city funding sources, which would be in addition to the $1 million already set aside. Before that money can be reallocated, the City Council would have to approve it.

If additional funding is not secured, the renovation will be done in phases, with the front public-facing side containing the gallery, classroom, and studio space being completed first. The back of the building houses heat-intensive processes like welding and ceramics that require extra ventilation and fire suppression systems.

The building formerly housed the non-profit Coachella Valley Art Center until then end of 2023 when the city took over.

“It is in the middle of downtown. It is going to be a highlight once it’s all said and done, and we welcome artists back and…gallery showings back, but it’s kind of taking a lot longer than what we expected, but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” Ramirez-Cornejo said.

---