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Thursday, July 16 | ☀️ 105°/86°
Happy Thursday! Expect to see more DUI checkpoints from the Indio Police Department. Last night the City Council approved more than $471,000 in state grant money that will fund everything from a new enforcement trailer to bilingual billboards and radio ads. On one of their most recent DUI checkpoints, the department stopped 625 vehicles along Highway 111 and issued 39 citations. Stay safe out there!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Sandstorm" by Darude
Leading Off
Councilmembers voted unanimously after six Indio residents spoke against data centers.
Indio moves closer to permanently banning data centers
The Indio City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to extend the city's data center moratorium and directed staff to draft a permanent ban in all zoning districts. The move follows a wave of public opposition and a unanimous recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Driving the news: The council extended the urgency ordinance through Oct. 16, following the Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation June 24 that the city adopt a complete ban. Six of seven speakers urged councilmembers to ban the facilities outright.
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz, who made the motion, said potential benefits like construction jobs and tax revenue don't outweigh risks to water, air and energy consumption.
Why it matters: Community Development Director Brian Halvorson told the council hyperscale data center campuses can span 100 to 300 acres, use 500 megawatts to more than 1 gigawatt of power, and consume 300 million to 1.5 billion gallons of water annually.
What they're saying: Elizabeth Humphreys, an Indio resident and president of the American Data Center Research and Education Foundation, cited a Good Jobs First study finding hyperscale facilities employ about 50 permanent workers on average.
“I hate to see all this wonderful growth that Indio has had over the past few years just demolished by having one of these in our communities,” Humphreys said.
Yes, but: Councilmember Glenn Miller asked whether the city could ban data centers "without any concern," referencing a past moratorium where the city couldn't fully ban gas stations. The city attorney said a prohibition would be defensible "as long as the prohibition is supported by appropriate findings."
What's next: If the council pursues a full ban, the draft ordinance would go to the Planning Commission in August, return to the council in September for two readings, and take effect roughly 30 days later. That would put a permanent ban in place by late October or early November.
Briefly
Under the vacant commercial property ordinance, buildings are considered vacant if at least 35% of their total floor area is unoccupied.
🚧 Indio adopts new rules targeting vacant commercial buildings
The Indio City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt an ordinance requiring owners of vacant commercial, industrial and office buildings to register their properties and meet new maintenance and security standards.
Owners must register within 10 days of a building becoming vacant, designate a round-the-clock local contact, submit monthly inspection reports, and obtain permits before boarding up doors or windows.
Details: City Attorney Steven Graham Pacifico said the goal is compliance, not punishment, with an educational push preceding enforcement. Violators will get notice and a chance to fix issues before citations or civil penalties. Downtown Indio penalties start at $500 and rise to $2,500 for a third violation.
📚 Indio approves lease for first independent bookstore
The Indio City Council approved a commercial lease that will bring the city's first independent bookstore to downtown, allowing Downtowne Bookstore, Inc. to occupy two city-owned buildings at 82713 and 82719 Miles Avenue, totaling about 3,456 square feet.
The five-year lease sets monthly rent at $1,728, with a $3,000 security deposit, though rent payments won't begin until Aug. 1, 2028. The city will provide up to $120,000 for improvements and waive permit fees. The store must operate at least six days a week.
Bottom line: This will be Downtowne Bookstore's third location. The original opened in Riverside in 1979, and new owner Dr. Jungmiwha Bullock took over in 2024 before opening a second Riverside location in 2025. The Indio store is expected to serve as a literary and cultural hub with author events and arts programming.
📅 Featured events
Paint Your Own Adventure
Today | 3:30 p.m. | Indio Library
A creative painting program where guests craft a scene inspired by a favorite journey, dream destination, or imagined adventure. No experience needed — all supplies provided.
Speed Dating
Today | 7 p.m. | Indio Brewing
SoCal Speed Dating hosts an event for singles ages 30–49, featuring seven-minute rounds with 7–12 participants per session. Matches are delivered to attendees' inboxes within 24 hours. ($25-$30)
Music for Humans & Robots
Today | 7 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
A synth- and new-wave-inspired DJ night featuring music in the style of artists such as Kraftwerk, Devo, New Order, and Chic.
Will Johns Band
Today and Friday | 7 p.m. | Big Rock Golf and Pub
Big Rock Pub welcomes the Will Johns Band for a night of blues rock. Johns, the nephew of Eric Clapton, developed his own guitar style while growing up around rock legends.
Plant Bingo Night
Friday | 5 p.m. | Indio Brewing
Bloom and Thrive Creations hosts a plant-themed bingo night with prizes for every player. ($20)
Indio's Food Truck Fridays
Friday | 5 p.m. | Downtown Indio (Towne St. & Bliss Ave.)
Indio's weekly Food Truck Fridays runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a rotating vendor lineup, family-friendly activities, live music, and themed days.
Moving Moms Run Club
Saturday | 5:30 a.m. | Happy Body
Moving Moms Run Club hosts a group run open to runners, walkers, and beginners, with strollers and kids welcome.
Dog Adoption Event
Saturday | 10 a.m. | Tractor Supply Co.
Desert Paws Sanctuary hosts a dog adoption event at Tractor Supply Co., featuring rescue dogs available for adoption to prospective forever families.
The Dune Room's Coffee Run
Saturday | 12 p.m. | Dune Room
The Coachella Valley's first daytime coffee rave.
Graphic Novel and Manga Book Club
Saturday | 1 p.m. | Indio Library
Join a discussion of the manga series "Kagurabachi" Vol. 1 and 2, diving into the action, characters, artwork, and theories with fellow readers.
Indoor Oasis at Requa
Saturday | 6 p.m. | 83197 Requa Avenue
Mills Wick and Polyfer Clay team up with Food Trucks on Requa for a food truck and artisan vendor event featuring family-friendly indoor seating.
Tender Misfit
Saturday | 8 p.m. | Dune Room
Dune Room is one of the stops on Tender Misfit’s Stargirl tour, featuring Firebug and Aeydra. ($17)
Open turntables
Sunday | 4 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
Rosemary HiFi hosts an open turntables session, inviting DJs to bring an hour's worth of deep-cut music for one-hour spin sets. Free
📣 And Finally …
The memorial will feature seven illuminated pillars representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces — the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force.
A tortoise sculpture at North Jackson Park has been vandalized for a second time, adding a new repair bill to Indio's growing list of public art projects.
Driving the news: Indio Public Arts Commission members learned Tuesday that repairs to Peter Hazel's "Desert Tortoise" sculpture will cost about $9,000, with crews expected to make fixes in August.
Also underway: The veterans memorial planned for Miles Avenue Park has permits in hand and work is now underway, with staff aiming to unveil the piece by Veterans Day.
Worth noting: Other art projects are moving at different speeds. A piece by Christopher Fennel at Shields Park could break ground by the last week of July, while murals planned for Dr. Carreon Park restrooms won't be finished until cooler weather arrives.
By the numbers: The city's public arts fund holds close to $900,000, with roughly $717,000 available for use, commissioners were told.
What's next: Staff previewed a forthcoming self-guided public art tour that will link to QR codes already posted at murals and sculptures, including a chatbot to help visitors find specific pieces.
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