Council authorizes design work for new Indio police headquarters; $45M estimate, bonds eyed for funding

The Indio City Council gave staff direction to continue design and preconstruction work on a planned police headquarters to complete the city's public safety campus.

Project team members told council the conceptual designs have been narrowed to two complementary single‑story options that emphasize daylighting, a secure perimeter, exercise and training space and a public lobby facing the street. Holt Architecture presented renderings; Tilden Coyle Constructors is under contract for preconstruction services.

Staff described the preliminary project scope and funding: a roughly 27,000-square-foot building with a preliminary conceptual budget near $45 million. The council previously allocated $5 million in the fiscal 2024 budget toward the project. Staff said approximately $30 million of additional funding is anticipated from lease-revenue bonds, which would create annual debt service estimated at about $2 million per year under current projections. Staff warned additional small appropriations (estimated $4–5 million) could be needed in later fiscal years depending on bid results.

Council members and staff also discussed the location and prominence of an existing 9/11 memorial sculpture proposed for the site. Several council members asked staff to explore alternative sites that would provide more parking and public access; staff agreed to return with options and the artist-contract implications.

Timeline and next steps: staff said they will advance design development and construction documents, work with bond counsel and the finance director on funding structure, and bring contract, financing and bid-award items back to council. Staff projected a design and bidding process in 2025–2026, a potential groundbreaking in mid‑2026, and an approximately 24‑month construction schedule if bids are within budget.

Quotations "We have a smaller footprint for this building so what can we fit best ..." Jonathan Nicks, project manager, said as the team refined the plan. "Staff really likes the blue monument on option 1. They really like the windows on option 3," Police Chief Tully said, summarizing staff preferences.

Ending Council members approved continuing the planning and funding work; staff will return with detailed design and financing recommendations, and with alternative siting options for the 9/11 memorial.