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Thursday, March 12 | ☀️ 94°/63°
Happy Thursday! Indio residents can add sustainable shade to their yards this month during a free desert-friendly tree giveaway on Saturday, March 28. Held at the Indio Library from 10 a.m. to noon, the event features UC Master Gardener volunteers who will be providing expert planting and care tips to ensure the new foliage thrives. Interested neighbors must pre-register online to secure a tree and should come prepared with a vehicle capable of transporting it home (duh!). Data from fellow desert city Phoenix shows that increasing tree canopy can lower neighborhood temperatures by as much as 30 degrees.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Can't Get You Out Of My Head (Peggy Gou's Midnight Remix)" by Kylie Minogue, Peggy Gou (Gou is coming to the desert in October for Goldenvoice’s new Head Trip festival. Tickets start at $399 and go on sale tomorrow.)
Leading Off
The permits cover a range of housing types, including accessory dwelling units, multifamily projects and single-family residential developments.
Indio housing permits surge to 706 in 2025 after years of slow growth
Indio issued 706 housing building permits in 2025, a dramatic rebound from the prior two years that city staff attributed to a post-pandemic recovery, according to a report presented Wednesday to the Indio Planning Commission.
Driving the news: Principal Planner Gustavo Gomez presented the city's 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report, highlighting the sharp increase from just 100 permits issued in 2023 and 53 in 2024.
By the numbers: The city is required to plan for 7,812 housing units of varying income levels over an eight-year cycle running from October 2021 through October 2029 under its Regional Housing Needs Allocation, known as RHNA.
Indio has permitted 2,247 units since the cycle began, leaving 5,565 still needed to meet the full allocation.
Yes but: Of those 7,812 units, 2,963 must be designated for extremely low to moderate income levels and that is where the city is lagging.
What they’re saying: Gomez said the city was making progress in the above-moderate income category, while acknowledging uneven results across income tiers.
“We do have different tiers that we have to hit. In some areas we’re doing better than others, but we’re halfway through the RHNA years, so we still have time to catch up.”
What's next: The commission voted to receive the report and forward it to the City Council, which must submit it to the state Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation by the end of the month.
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Briefly
Indio artist Patrick Barwinski designed his “Garden of Life” concept to capture the “flourishing spirit of Indio.” His mural in the same style, “Desi Memorial”, adorns the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in Indio. (Rendering: Patrick Barwinski)
🎨 Committee formed to select from 26 proposals for art in city parks
A committee of two Indio Public Arts commissioners and a city staffer will choose up to eight finalists from 26 proposals submitted by artists to paint murals on bathroom exteriors at Jackson, Miles Avenue, and Dr. Carreon parks.
The project, launched in January, aims to deter graffiti on currently plain white bathroom walls. Selected artists will receive up to $10,000 per site from the city's Arts Fund, with murals expected to last 15 years. Final selections could go before the city council in April.
Bottom line: In a separate 4-1 vote, commissioners rejected a City Manager proposal to use Arts in Public Places funds for projects outside city limits, including a potential installation at the Desert Jet Center near Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal.
🏡 Planning Commission recommends approval of 50-home development
The Indio Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to recommend City Council approval of Estrella Estates, a 50-unit single-family home development on a 5.64-acre site east of Jackson Street and north of Avenue 50 near the L & G Desert Store.
The two-story Spanish Colonial-style homes will range from approximately 2,200 to 2,400 square feet. Since a January consultation, the developer removed a proposed gated entry following commissioner concerns about traffic and the city's General Plan policy discouraging gated communities.
Details: Commissioners incorporated three conditions into their recommendation: driveway compliance with city code, a neighborhood park with playground equipment and shade structures, and a minimum of one 24-inch box tree per front yard. The project moves to City Council for final action.
📅 Featured events
El Mexicali Café 45th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting
Today | 3 p.m. | El Mexicali Café
In case you need an excuse to visit one of the best restaurants in the city, stop by today around 3 o’clock to celebrate El Mexicali’s 45th birthday.
Movie Night: "Luca"
Today | 6 p.m. | Center Stage
Come bring the family downtown to see the Disney Pixar film “Luca” on the big screen. Save room for free popcorn!
Desert Cancer Foundation Benefit Concert
Today | 7 p.m. | Big Rock Pub
Big Rock Pub hosts a night of live blues music and all proceeds will go to the Desert Cancer Foundation. ($15)
Natural Wine Tasting with Soil Expedition
Today | 7:30 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
Learn all about natural wine from the experts at Rosemary HiFi. Do some tasting, some dancing, and enjoy the evening!
Indio Food Truck Friday
Friday | 5 p.m. | Downtown Indio
At the corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue, every Friday you’ll find the valley’s food truck destination. This week’s lineup features all kinds of tacos, churros, funnel cakes, soul food, and more.
5k Walk/Run
Saturday | 6:30 a.m. | Everbloom Coffee Downtown
Wake up bright and early Saturday morning and head to Everbloom’s downtown location for 3.1-mile run (or walk!) Remember: there’s coffee and pastries at the end so it’s worth it.
United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire Presentation
Saturday | 1 p.m. | Indio Library
Learn more about local resources available for all ages with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities at this special presentation.
Lovely Folk Artisan and Makers Market
Saturday | 5 p.m. | Desert Beer Co. Pizza + Pints
This artisan market features local vendors selling plants, ceramics, vintage clothing, fine art prints, books, and more.
The Dreamboats
Saturday | 6 p.m. | Center Stage
The City of Indio presents The Dreamboats in concert at Downtown Indio Center Stage, performing high-energy 1950s and 1960s rock 'n' roll and classic hits. All ages welcome.
Foil Art Workshop
Sunday | 12 p.m. | The Place
Learn the whimsical art of Foil Embossing. Create beautiful little art pieces into pins, magnet or artistic wall-hangings & frames. Recommended for ages nine and older, designs and materials provided. ($35)
📣 And Finally …
Artist Adam Enrique Rodriguez was selected out of a group of 19 artists to create his massive “Nuestra Vida” mural. (File photo)
The City of Indio is building a new artist database to ensure local creators are the primary voices behind the city's public landscape.
Why it matters: We just wrote about a city project for art in public parks that got 26 proposals from artists, but only three came from within the Coachella Valley—and just one was from an Indio resident.
The big picture: The city aims to replicate the success of community-rooted projects like the massive mural on Jackson Street that was painted by an Indio native and transformed a local corner into a vibrant celebration of Indio’s history and culture.
By centralizing artist portfolios, the new registry makes it easier for local talent to stay informed and compete for future commissions.
What's next: Residents can see the value of these community-led projects firsthand this Monday, March 16, at 10 a.m. during the public unveiling of the Desi Memorial Mural, painted by local artist Patrick Barwinski.
Details: Artists interested in shaping the city's visual identity should register their portfolios online to ensure they are notified of upcoming opportunities.
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