College of the Desert votes to keep original location for Roadrunner Motor facility
During a board meeting on Friday at College of the Desert, trustees voted yes to building the automotive facility at its original location in Cathedral City.
The decision came after a reconsideration announcement and renewed debates between the community and college about the location of the facility.
Three sites were up for consideration by the college's board of trustees. They included the original already-purchased land adjacent to Desert Lexus in the Cathedral City Auto Center, an alternate location in Cathedral City at the corner of Perez Road and Cathedral Canyon Drive, and the third location near the Indio Auto Center.
During the last board meeting on April 6, staff told the board of trustees the Indio location was no longer for sale and that negotiating for that site would add more time and expense to the project.
College of the Desert announced last October it was considering alternative sites for the automotive repair training facility. The announcement came with some blowback from the Cathedral City community and city officials.
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The decision on Friday came after special meetings that gathered feedback and input from the community.
During Friday's board meeting, Cathedral City Mayor, Ernesto Gutirrez told the board that building the automotive facility in Cathedral City would bring opportunities to those who wish to seek higher education and don't have easy access to it.
