COD's Planned Roadrunner Motors Facility Scrutinized This Week

Palm Desert CA

04 April, 2022

2:44 PM

Description

PALM DESERT, CA — The site of a future College of the Desert automotive education facility — known as Roadrunner Motors — will be a topic of discussion this week. The community is invited to attend a special COD Board of Trustees meeting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the facility's future site, which has been narrowed to three locations: the original planned site on Perez Road, adjacent to the Cathedral City Auto Center; an alternate location in Cathedral City; and a spot in Indio. The plan to locate the facility adjacent to the Cathedral City Auto Center was halted in October after a fiscal review determined costs at the location were "exorbitantly higher" than previously anticipated, according to the college. Roadrunner Motors' courses provide automotive industry training and skills and "create a pipeline for high-quality jobs in the region, connecting students to local opportunities in the Coachella Valley." The future Roadrunner Motors facility will provide a modernized lab, classrooms, and cutting-edge technology, according to the college. During Wednesday's meeting, the board will consider the cost to acquire land, construction expenses, labor market indicators, and student enrollment. The public's involvement now "is critical in ensuring the success of Roadrunner Motors for future generations," according to the college. "It is crucial that the public also attend our special board meeting, on April 6, to make their voices heard to all board members," said COD Board Chair Rubén AríAztlán Pérez. The special meeting will be conducted by teleconference and live-streamed on the college's YouTube page. There will also be in-person public access to the meeting. In-person public access will be limited to 18 people to accommodate for social distancing. Those who wish to make public comments in writing can do so by submitting a written comment by email to [email protected], by chat via Zoom, or live in person. Not all written comments may be read aloud but all comments will be made a part of the official record, according to the college. No formal action will be taken during the special meeting. Follow-up discussion and voting are expected to take place during the regularly scheduled 9:30 a.m. board meeting on Friday, April 22. For more information, visit collegeofthedesert.edu.