Desert Hot Springs Streets Getting $2 Million Facelift

The streets surrounding Ruben Villegas’ auto body shop are full of cracks and holes. But, he says he found a use for them…as a test track for the cars he fixes.

“That’s our squeak and rattle track, man,” he said. “That’s where you go to find all the noise. That’s where you find it. Right there!”

But, the city vows the rundown roads will be smoother and wider in four months. The street improvements will include road reconstruction, curb and gutter, new driveways at residential lots and sidewalk improvements along the following streets:

Cactus Dr. (from Pierson Blvd. to Hacienda Ave.)

Acoma Ave. (from West Dr. to Cactus Dr.)

Buena Vista Ave. (from West Dr. to Cactus Dr.)Cahuilla Ave. (from West Dr. to Cactus Dr.)Desert View Ave. (from West Dr. to Cactus Dr.)Estrella Ave. (from E. Arroyo Dr. to Cactus Dr.)Flora Ave. (from E. Arroyo Dr. to Cactus Dr.)

“They keep saying, ‘When you going to do Cactus [Drive]?'” said Mayor Yvonne Parks. “They will be happy to know that Cactus between here and Hacienda [Avenue] will be primo.”

The project manager says wheelchair ramps will be built on most of the street corners that will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This construction is Phase II. The first phase started two years ago on the numbered streets (e.g., 1st St., 2nd St., 3rd St.).

Mayor Parks says these improvements will raise home values and homeowners’ spirits. “They want to improve the exterior and the look from the curb up to their home. Make it more curb friendly…curb appeal,” she said.

$2 million dollars, mostly federal money, will be spent on the street transformation. Ruben Villegas may not have the bumpy roads to test drive his cars any longer, but at least the city will have a smooth future.

“We’re in Desert Hot Springs! Things are improving slowly. It’s getting better,” he said. “Pretty soon, this will be the place everybody wants to live.”