Aug. 7 Weekly Briefing: Sanitary district’s big plans, library on the move again, map confusion, and more

Welcome to Thursday! If you feel like the weather app on your phone has had an “Excessive Heat Warning” for weeks now, you’re not alone. Still, the next few days are no joke, with temperatures possibly hitting 116, according to the National Weather Service. If you need a place to shelter from the heat, a list of Indio’s three cooling centers can be found  here. In other news: we are off on vacation next week! You can expect a Monday calendar of events, but no Thursday newsletter as we rest and recuperate. Stay cool!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer, Kygo

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LEADING OFF

Valley Sanitary District marks 100 years with upgrades, plans for four major projects

The Valley Sanitary District is celebrating its centennial this November while unveiling plans for four innovative projects to modernize wastewater treatment and develop industry professionals. The district has grown from serving 1,000 residents in 1925 to more than 91,000 today across Indio and surrounding areas.

Driving the news: The district’s most ambitious project involves converting sewage biosolids into liquid fertilizer for local farms, eliminating the need to truck the waste to Arizona processing facilities.

• General Manager Jason Dafforn said the district would be the first in Southern California to use this process, providing greater control and keeping fertilizer in the community.

The details: Three additional projects on the horizon include capturing treated wastewater for golf course irrigation, a new laboratory with advanced testing technology, and a training facility to attract young professionals.

• The wastewater recapture project would redirect about 1 million gallons daily from the Whitewater Storm Channel to golf courses, reducing strain on groundwater supplies.

By the numbers: The district processes about 6 million gallons of wastewater daily and recently completed an $80 million upgrade to treatment plant components.

• The new projects will be funded through ratepayer fees and state and federal grants.

Looking back: The district was established in 1925, five years before Indio’s incorporation, when residents realized outhouses were contaminating groundwater.

What’s next: The biosolids project is nearing the end of its design phase, while the wastewater recapture project will soon enter feasibility studies.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

📚Library temporary location closes this weekend in preparation for move

Work on the new Indio Public Library is nearing completion, and patrons can look forward to a new and improved space soon.

• The library has been closed for a little less than two years, and patrons have made do with a temporary location at 45130 Oasis Street. Drive past the new library to see signage and more progress on the exterior of the building.
  
• Book lovers won’t have to wait too much longer, the new library is set to open this fall. That means the temporary location will have its last day of service this Saturday, Aug. 9 as it prepares to move into the new library. 
  
• Need to know: While the temporary location is closed, all holds and deliveries will be redirected to the Coachella Library at 1500 6th Street, or you can update your account to have materials sent to the La Quinta Library at 78275 Calle Tampico.

🚧 Indio begins annual street paving project across four neighborhoods

Another week, another construction alert! The city of Indio has launched its annual paving project to improve street conditions in four neighborhoods.

• Work is scheduled next week, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Residents should expect temporary street closures and parking restrictions during construction. The project involves grinding and repaving work to enhance street conditions throughout the city.
  
• Four neighborhoods are scheduled for paving over the next two weeks:
  
  
  • Palm Meadows from Aug. 11-12 
    
  • Santa Fe Homes from Aug. 13-15
    
  • Country Club Drive Aug. 18
    
  • Central Indio from Aug. 19-22
    
• Details: Funding comes from Measure X, a 1% sales tax extended by Measure E, which supports street repairs, public safety, parks and other community improvements.

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YOUR WEEKEND

Danny Torres Vinyl DJ Set
Friday | 8 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
Danny Torres will be spinning a mix of funk, cumbia, and hip hop from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday.  

Narcizo Gonzalez Comedy Show
Friday | 8 p.m. | Spotlight 29 Casino
Narcizo Gonzalez brings bold, unfiltered comedy to the stage with his sharp wit and raw storytelling. With years in the scene and a following that stretches across the country, Narcizo Gonzalez isn’t just another comic—he’s a voice for the bold and the proudly “Gay=Happy.” ($20)

End of the Road: Little Street Music Hall’s final show
Saturday | 5:30 p.m. | Little Street Music Hall
The community bids farewell to Little Street Music Hall this Saturday with a huge concert featuring 13 bands including Brosquitos, Giselle Woo & the Night Owls, Rat Boy Summer and more. Expect to see food from Painted Dough and La Casa Del Mariachi, merch from Blue Hill Studios, and a Repairland pop up. ($10 suggested donation)

Second Saturdays: Leanna & The Free Agents
Saturday | 7 p.m. | Center Stage
Leanna and The Free Agents are bringing the soul and energy to Center Stage this weekend for the city’s monthly free concert. 

Check out more events in our community calendar

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AND FINALLY …

This image has been making the rounds on social media, and it’s convinced thousands that the Indio Grand Marketplace will be the new home of stores like IKEA, Trader Joe’s, Planet Fitness, Home Goods, and more. 

Driving the news: The image comes from this redevelopment brochure that was produced for the Haagen Company sometime in April of this year. 

What’s really going on: The brochure gives details on dimensions of spaces in the mall and the graphic shows examples of businesses that could occupy the spaces. It’s not a confirmation that any of the businesses are headed to that location, but it could indicate what kind of retail the Haagen Company is targeting.

How we got here: The Haagen Company owns the defunct mall, and has submitted early plans to the city’s Planning Commission for its redevelopment. The approval comes after earlier plans for redevelopment that were approved in 2022 fell through.

In the weeds: The Planning Commission gave their approval for a portion of the redevelopment plan on May 28 when they approved a planning review for the development of two new buildings on the site adjacent to Highway 111.

What else: The Haagen Company also entered into exclusive negotiations with the city of Indio for the purchase of city-owned land behind the mall. Read more about that here.