Oct. 23 Weekly Briefing: 20-acre mixed-use development, city leaders honored, pickleball tournament, and more

Welcome to Thursday! Okay, we promise we’ll stop talking about the library soon…we’re just so excited! It turns out, they have this great collection of local history books under lock and key. The library said online that some of the texts date back more than a century and contain a ton of info about farmers, transportation, and the arts through the ages. The books are yours to peruse, but they’ve got to stay at the library and can’t be checked out.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Disco Yes” by Tom Misch (feat. Poppy Ajudha)

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LEADING OFF

Developer presents 20-acre mixed-use project for Highway 111 corridor

The Indio Planning Commission reviewed preliminary plans Wednesday for Madison Pointe, a 20-acre development at the southwest corner of Highway 111 and Madison Street that would bring apartments, retail, EV charging, and a hotel to the corridor. The project requires Planning Commission recommendation before advancing to City Council.

Driving the news: Schmid Desert Investments’ first phase includes a Starbucks with drive-thru, Quick Quack car wash, retail building and an electric vehicle charging station with 20 ultra-fast chargers. The revised plan also calls for 300 market-rate apartments in two- and three-story buildings.

How we got here: The developer changed course from a 400-unit senior housing project approved in 2022 after determining it was not financially feasible due to stagnant rents and high construction costs.

The big picture: A relative of the developer purchased another 19 acres across the street, giving the team control of 40 acres total. The additional property is currently home to the Madison St. Produce farm stand.

• “This 40 acres is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Indio in a major market window and in the gateway to the city,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, a representative of the owner.

What they’re saying: Vice Chair Gloria Franz warned that the city has been staunchly against “auto-related uses” along Highway 111, noting Quick Quack has unsuccessfully applied multiple times before.

What’s next: Future phases would add up to 130 hotel rooms and 30,000 square feet of medical office space. Fitzpatrick said he hopes the project will return to the Planning Commission for formal recommendation sometime early next year.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

🏆 Indio honors citizens, businesses at awards ceremony

While Indio’s city leaders were celebrating how far the city has come in 95 years at the State of the City, it took some time to honor people, organizations, and businesses that make the city special.

• Larry Bohannan, a sports journalist and golf writer with 50 years of experience at The Desert Sun, was named Citizen of the Year. Bohannan has authored books about golf history and will be inducted into the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation’s 2026 Media Hall of Fame.
  
• The Coachella Animal Network received the Nonprofit of the Year award for spaying and neutering more than 28,000 animals since beginning its mission. Sloan’s Restaurant earned the Longstanding Business of the Year award, while Indio Taphouse was recognized as New Business of the Year. Realtor James Suer received the Spotlight Award.
  
• And finally: The Mayor’s Award was presented to four public safety professionals who rescued an 18-year-old and his dog from a canal on June 28. Officer Salvador Cardenas jumped in and performed chest compressions while staying above water, reviving the young man, according to Indio Police Chief Brian Tully.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

🛍️ Mercado Indio market opens downtown

Remember last month, we told you about a new outdoor market coming to town? Mark your calendars, it’s opening this weekend! Here’s what you need to know.

• A new weekly vendor market called Mercado Indio starts Saturday at the city-owned property at Bliss Avenue and Towne Street, operating from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market will feature handcrafted goods, food and beverages, local produce, customized goods, beauty and wellness products, vintage items, art, and music.
  
• The city approved a license agreement last month with Brenda Beltran to operate the market at the same location where Food Truck Friday is held.
  
• Why it matters: Beltran has served as retail director for Market Market and Mojave Flea Trading Post in Palm Springs, and as retail and art director of The Place market in Downtown Indio. Mercado is still accepting vendors and the organizers said they’d love more ideas!

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YOUR WEEKEND

Music for Robots and Humans
Friday | 7 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
@yourhubris DJs this Friday night and has some indie, dance, rock, and pop on deck. 

Native American Comedy Jam
Friday | 7 p.m. | Spotlight 29 Casino
Native American Comedy Jam brings together gifted Indigenous comedians—seasoned storytellers, cultural commentators, and witty performers—for a single-night celebration at The Showroom. ($30)

Mercado Indio Opening Day
Saturday | 8 a.m. | Bliss Avenue and Towne Street
It’s the beginning of a new tradition. This Saturday is the first for Mercado Indio, a weekly outdoor market in the heart of Downtown Indio featuring local vendors, fresh food, seasonal produce, and more. 

Concert for Autism
Saturday | 1 p.m. | Big Rock Golf and Pub
Enjoy an incredible day with two stages, 20 amazing performers, silent auctions, prizes, and a welcoming sensory tent. It’s all to raise funds and awareness for autism!

Halloween Carnival
Saturday | 1 p.m. | Indio Community Center
Put on your costume and let’s have fun at the Indio Halloween Carnival! Expect carnival games, inflatables, a petting zoo, F=face painting, candy, raffles, a costume contest, food vendors, and more! ($5)

Terrorfest
Saturday | 8 p.m. | Indio Taphouse
Live music, DJ, and a Michael Jackson tribute set await attendees of Desert Terrorfest. Bring your friends and come in costume for a chance to win prizes. ($30)

Felted Bats Craft Workshop
Sunday | 11:30 a.m. | The Place
Make two adorable felted bats at this craft workshop. You will have enough to make two bats, one during class and a second bat to finish at home with materials provided. Recommended for ages 10 and up. ($30)

9th Annual East Coachella Valley LGBTQ+ Pride Festival
Sunday | 3 p.m. | Veterans Park, Coachella
A live performance from Danza Azteca Citlaltonac kicks off the festival also featuring Anima Tsitsiki, MXXA, Alma Folklorico Metzil, Saliva, and The Divines. Mario Francisco will be doing a poetry reading. Plus: food, drink, and a resource fair!

Check out more events in our community calendar

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AND FINALLY …

Indio is quickly becoming a hub for sports. The Coachella Valley Invitational draws thousands of soccer players to town, as does the Sandstorm Lacrosse Festival and numerous equestrian sports, not to mention the city’s forthcoming Sports Park, set to open soon. But the city is leveling up with some new sports events for locals.

Driving the news: This week, Mayor Glenn Miller announced the Indio Pickleball Open, benefiting the Indio Senior Center, will launch in January 2026 at Miles Avenue Park, while a night golf tournament at Indio Golf Course will bring competitive play under the lights to the city’s municipal par 3 course.

What they’re saying: “For years, it’s been a staple for the [Bob] Hope and other tournaments to go out and have a skins tournament under the lights,” Miller said. “We want that energy, so we’re going to have a tournament.”

Get moving: Miller, who plays pickleball himself, encouraged residents to start practicing at city courts at George Patton Park or Miles Avenue Park.