Developer Hagan Company reports progress on ENA for former Indio Fashion Mall; residents urge community control of Nobles Ranch

City staff and representatives of HCL/Hagan Company presented an update on the exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) for city-owned property behind the former Indio Fashion Mall and adjacent Nobles Ranch. Staff said an appraisal and a peer review have been completed and that easement cleanup is underway — roughly 31 easements were identified and about 13 had been cleared at the time of the presentation. The city’s consultant raised follow‑up questions regarding a 2021 environmental review (Earth Systems) that staff said must be resolved before the parties proceed to a development disposition and development agreement (DDA).

Don Kelly (representative named in the presentation) and a Hagan Company official explained that the mall owner has invested millions and is pursuing phased construction along Highway 111, with two buildings potentially under construction in January pending tenant agreements and permits. The developer said the historic difficulties — economic cycles, politics and the pandemic — slowed progress, but they reported traction on leasing for Highway 111 frontage and signaled commitment to quality design.

During the public comment period, multiple residents urged a different path for Nobles Ranch, asking that the city offer the property back to descendants or community groups, or prioritize community-serving uses such as housing, places of worship and schools. The Indio Chamber’s chair described an anecdotal business complaint about Hagan Company’s past landlord practices, urging the council to weigh community trust and local small-business impacts in future negotiations.

Council took no action; the item was received for filing as a progress report and council asked staff and the developer to continue working on the environmental contingencies, easement removals and forthcoming entitlement requests.