Indio enters exclusive talks with Haagen Company after previous mall development deal expired

*The city-owned lot behind the mall has been vacant for nearly 40 years.*

The City of Indio has authorized exclusive negotiations with the Haagen Company for the potential sale of city-owned property behind the Indio Grand Marketplace mall, two years after the Haagen Company abandoned ambitious plans to redevelop the land.

The Indio City Council on Wednesday approved the 12-month exclusive negotiating agreement at its Wednesday meeting. The agreement covers five parcels totaling 15.35 acres located on John Nobles Avenue between Monroe Street and Rubidoux Street.

The city previously entered into a disposition and development agreement with the Haagen Company, headed by Empire Polo Club owner Alexander Haagen, in 2022, but that deal expired when the anticipated transaction fell through.

At the time, the ambitious plans called for the vacant city land to be turned into a mixed-use property with a 150-room hotel, hundreds of apartment units, restaurants, and a public park.

The park was planned to honor John Nobles, who owned a ranch near the site that eventually grew into a thriving neighborhood, one of the valley’s only majority-Black neighborhoods.

In 1988, the owner of the mall at the time, David Miller, tried to expand the mall and the city used eminent domain to demolish 80 Nobles Ranch homes and displace families. But financing for the expansion fell through, leaving the plot of land vacant for almost 40 years.

In its recommendation for approval city staff noted the deal is “… in the best interests of both parties to plan, market and develop the adjoining properties in a cooperative effort.” The staff report did not indicate future development plans for the land.

Councilmember Oscar Ortiz added an amendment to the agreement that gives the council the option to review the deal after six months. The exclusive negotiating period can be extended for two additional six-month periods with mutual agreement between the developer and city manager.

With the negotiating agreement, the city manager will begin the process of collecting analysis and reports to prepare a Disposition and Development Agreement.