On Friday, Mayor Stan Henry gave an update on the progress being made in Cathedral City at the Council of Women Realtors’ Luncheon. His message highlighted the improvements implemented over the past four years including:
- Over $100,000,000 invested in public infrastructure projects that includes the Date Palm Bridge Widening and Seismic Project, the new Cathedral Canyon Bridge soon to begin construction later this year, the Ramon Road Bridge to begin construction in 2019, and street repaving on our major arteries and neighborhood streets.
- Developing our Downtown into an Arts and Entertainment District that includes LIVE performing arts with the CVRep Theatre now under construction, the refurbishing of the Mary Pickford Theatre, the approval of the new Downtown Amphitheater Park, and the new Agua Caliente Casino coming to the corner of Date Palm Drive and East Palm Canyon Drive (HWY 111).
- Capitalizing on the emerging cannabis industry approved by the voters of California and twice by Cathedral City residents through regulation that limit the zones for operation; taxing the growing, manufacturing and selling of cannabis in order to generate revenue for the City to expand public safety services to full staffing levels; and to provide good paying jobs and good employee benefits for our residents in addition to a product that is increasingly being recognized for helping those with certain medical conditions.
- Implemented four major festivals and numerous smaller events that enhance the quality of life for residents and increase our presence in the tourism industry. These events have brought life to our downtown and renewed interest by private developers for restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments.
- Cathedral City Auto Center has grown over the past four years with new sales and service centers, new dealerships, and expanded dealerships.
- Housing construction and resells have flourished with a 10% price increase in the last year. The District sold out its first phase of its housing development and has begun constructing District East, a similar portfolio to The District. Rio del Sol housing development that has remained idle for over a decade will soon begin its construction of over 200 new homes.
- As consumers change their shopping patterns with the convenience of online shopping and home delivery, Cathedral City has done a great job repurposing former big box stores into fitness clubs, smaller retail businesses, and a new luxury automobile storage facility.
With all the new development, Cathedral City hit an extremely low 2.7% unemployment rate in April according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As Mayor Stan Henry stated on Friday, “Cathedral City is on the path to victory!”
