Indio Bus Station Demolished To Clear Path For Campus

After decades in downtown Indio — the old Greyhound Bus Station is being demolished.

For Richard Friestad, an Indio resident since 1947, it was an event he had to be a part of.

“This is history. I remember when it was built. To tear it down after all this time, it’s sad. But when I see the picture of the college coming in, it’s a real plus for downtown Indio. It’s just what we need,” said Friestad.

Going up in that same spot will be a new campus for College of the Desert.

A $20 million, 45,000 square-foot educational center that will serve some 5,000 COD students in the east valley.

“Being right in the center of this whole east valley I think is critical because it gives everyone in this area an opportunity to come in to the campus,” said COD President Jerry Patton.

City leaders say the campus — with 10,000 square-feet of retail space — will be key to the revitalization of downtown.

“When you add that much more foot traffic to the downtown there’s something good that’s bound to happen,” said Indio Mayor Lupe Ramos Watson. “It’s going to encourage new business development. And many opportunities for those individuals looking to find new jobs or educate themselves.”

As for bus service, a temporary station is set up at the transportation center off Indio Boulevard.

Just when a new permanent facility will be built is still up in the air. The city says plans are on hold because the state is holding on to redevelopment dollars.

“We’re going to wait and see until the dust settles — until we know what it is we’ll truly receive from the state. Once we have a better idea what our cash flow will be like, then we’ll make a decision,” said Watson

Construction on the new campus is scheduled to begin next spring — with classes starting in the fall of 2013.