Indio COD campus to expand with second building

The Indio City Council is working with College of the Desert to expand the existing campus in downtown Indio. A second building will be constructed, also fronting Oasis Street, which officials said will allow for double the student capacity.

The new building will be 40,000 square-feet and will house classroom and lab space, student service and administration offices. School officials said the current number of students served is 4,000, but the expansion will allow about 8,000 students to attend classes.

“We are thrilled to have COD expand its Indio campus to provide even more educational opportunities for our students and continue our strong partnership with the college,” said Mayor Glenn Miller. “Downtown Indio is definitely ‘On the Rise’ as we continue to see more investment in the area – it has become a wonderful place for students to learn.”

According to the city’s release, COD is the second fastest growing community college district in California and graduated its largest class in spring 2016. It serves over 14,000 students and is the number one source of transfer students to California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert.

College of the Desert Superintendent/President, Joel L. Kinnamon said, “This expansion is one more example of the college’s commitment to the students in the East Valley, and an exciting next step in our partnership with the City of Indio.”

The COD also recently opened a campus in Desert Hot Springs, and plans to expand its campuses in the east and west valley.