By H. Simmons –
When driving along Interstate 10 or Highway 111, city limits may not be particularly noticeable or significantly different. To an outsider it may appear like desert urban sprawl — one city merging into the next with little impact on the whole. But they would be wrong. What makes the Coachella Valley extraordinary is that each city boasts a unique personality and contributes to the overall quality of life for residents as well as visitors.
The Coachella Valley has a year-round population of over 350,000 residents. In season, October through April, some put the population over 500,000. It is one of the fastest growing valleys in the country. By 2020 it is estimated that the population will surpass 600,000 and be over a million by the year 2066. Five million visitors come each year to enjoy the valley.
The CV is 45 miles long and 15 miles wide. It is a diverse population of young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight, conservative and liberal. Over the last two months, the CVW highlighted signature events, specific attributes and individual qualities of all the nine incorporated cities. The cities offer something for everybody.
Cathedral City is the second largest community and the last to incorporate (1984). This is a community that has artfully partnered with business to provide quality of life for its residents. Cathedral City has nurtured recreational businesses and provides the valley with the rare and wonderful Desert IMAX Theater, the only ice rink, Desert Ice Castles and the family fun park, Boomers! It also has the number one auto mall in the valley.
It is a city that takes pride in its diversity and sees its hard-working year-round community as inclusive. The city has had their growing pains and now seeks to build relationships between neighborhoods and bring continuity to the community.
The City of Coachella has the highest number of youth. They have a young Mayor and City Council that are serious about bringing positive change and opportunity to this mainly Hispanic community. It is the only city that maintains an agriculture industry.
Coachella is situated as the gateway to the eastern valley. Interstate 10 and Highway 86 are vital thoroughfares, which bring important commerce into the valley, state and country. The city provides a wonderfully authentic Mexican experience. Signature events include: Mexico’s Independence Day, El Grito or Diez y Seis and the Dia De Los Muertos at the Coachella Forest Lawn. Coachella is a city with passion, potential and position.
All the desert cities cross Highway 111 except Desert Hot Springs. It is the only incorporated valley city completely situated north of Interstate 10. This bedroom community is located at the valley’s western gateway. Ninety-seven percent of the city’s workforce traverses the freeway at least twice a day to valley jobs. Residents spend $220 million in other valley cities. With the new Palm Drive and Indian Avenue I10 overpasses, residents save at least 20 minutes a day in commute time.
Geographically isolated between desert and mountains, this hillside community has its own water district and boasts the best water in the world. Deep thermal wells provide hot odorless mineral water to amazing boutique spas. Many of the hotels and spas provide full therapeutic treatment rooms and day use is available at most.
Desert Hot Springs celebrates 50 years of incorporation. With only 20 percent of its land developed, it is looking forward to its future and is preparing for growth.
Indian Wells is the only desert city that does not reach Interstate 10. The smallest city, both in land and population, it is basically built to capacity. But this small community delivers big events. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden hosts world champion tennis competition as well as concert venues. The BNP Paribas Open will bring over 370,000 visitors to the valley this week.
With an average income of $145,000, this is a city whose citizens enjoy a lifestyle of culture and elegance. They are generous givers and have contributed to many CV organizations. The Indian Wells Desert Town Hall draws influential and relevant speakers. It is a remarkable opportunity to have such an event in the CV
Indio is a friendly, out-going and well-adjusted city. The oldest (1930) and largest city in the CV, it is truly “The City of Festivals.” It is also the second county seat of Riverside providing important government offices, buildings and facilities. It too has room to grow and is actively moving towards its solid future.
In many ways La Quinta mirrors an Orange County community. Booming in the mid 1990s and nearly built to capacity, it is now a town focused on maintaining and growing quality lifestyle for its nearly 38,000 residents.
The La Quinta Arts Foundation has contributed $1 million in scholarships to CV students. The La Quinta Arts Festival is the number one arts and crafts show in the nation. It begins this week and runs through out the weekend.
Palm Desert is the valley’s geographic center and quite possibly the heartbeat of the CV. The city has state colleges and universities, arts and entertainment, retail, dining and shopping that make this community an axis of education, lifestyle and culture. Incorporated in 1973, this year it turns forty. With a population of nearly 50,000 year-round residents, it is both a resort and a close-knit community.
With two million tourists annually, beautiful Palm Springs carefully maintains the world famous brand. The city works hard at providing an exceptional resort lifestyle. The Palm Springs International Airport reported 1,727,122 peopled passed through the terminal in 2012. The city has the most hotel rooms, over 7,000.
The city is in the process of revamping its downtown. A long awaited project, it will bring new life and energy to a town already experiencing a dynamic and exciting lifestyle. Incorporated in 1939, Palm Springs celebrates 75 years as a renowned global desert resort destination.
As one of the CV’s largest employers, Rancho Mirage population swells during the week. It is a city filled with world-class doctors and medical offices. This year Eisenhower Medical Center will become a teaching facility.
Rancho Mirage celebrates forty years of resort style living. For their Ruby Anniversary, the city is holding a cocktail competition. In April, five bartenders and their specialized drinks will be judged. Seventeen Rancho Mirage restaurants and bars are participating. Check the city’s website on how to vote.
Some CVW observations: Cities that rotate Mayors from elected city council members, seem to get along and work together better as a council. That is, compared to those city’s that elect a Mayor directly. Currently five of the nine cities have woman Mayors.
City Managers work hard and take a great deal of pride in their communities. Most are transparent and openly disclose information about their cities. Each city has people who care, work hard and are dedicated. Every city has a comprehensive website.
The Chamber of Commerce is a great resource not only for business and visitors but also for residents. Some of the nicest and most informed people work at the Chambers. Seven out of nine Chambers of Commerce have woman CEOs or directors.
All cities suffered from the 2008 financial crisis and the loss of state redevelopment funds.
The City of Coachella and Desert Hot Springs are the least developed and have the greatest potential for growth.
Active communities, non-profit organization and volunteers make cities strong. Art and culture generates business.
Running a city is complicated and expensive. Being a public servant is not an easy job. It is always challenging and at times extremely difficult. Each city has a unique personality and is a contributing asset. The more the nine incorporated cities work together, the stronger the CV becomes.
To read about the cities in more detail, go to www.coachellavalleyweekly.com and click on archive or read online.
