'Assuming the construction financing industry remains stable', James envisions a plethora of new dining and retail opportunities for Cathedral City

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Cathedral City Mayor Rita Lamb. | Cathedral City/cathedralcity.gov/Home/Components/StaffDirectory/StaffDirectory/87/1746

With the City Council's recent approval of a final parcel map, a new commercial venture in Downtown Cathedral City is expected to deliver a variety of dining choices, job growth and municipal revenue.

The council's vote on Wednesday, April 26, was crucial to the development of a five-acre commercial venue with proposed stores like Starbucks and Circle K on the south side of East Palm Canyon, opposite the casino.

This was all described in a report by Economic Development Director Dr. Stone James in a Cathedral City Weekly Newsletter update that detailed the phases of the development and progress made.

"Assuming the construction financing industry remains stable, the first phase of this commercial project will see a newly designed Starbucks, Chipotle, Farmer Boys and Circle K convenience store and fuel station," James said in the update. "Future tenants could include a bank, personal care business(es) and a sandwich shop."

James' report also told how this project is linked to plans for a multi-family residential project to the rear of the property, which finds Coachella Valley's Fountainhead Development working to draw a suitable developer for these homes. Adding further optimism to the plan, James described Fountainhead as "Coachella Valley's most active retail developer."

The City Council also gave an update on the meeting, describing the total construction area as approximately 13.51 acres owned by the City Urban Revitalization Corporation (CURC) that was assembled from 15 irregular shaped lots. The project, known as the Cathedral Cove Center, will feature commercial construction on approximately 5.46 acres.

In the future, the remaining approximately 7.69 acres are envisioned for a multi-family residential development, according to the update. The housing plans are still in their infancy, so the retail construction will be moved forward with the rear of the property set aside for the housing component as phase two. At this stage, plans still need to be readied for the multi-family residential site, and any plans would need the city's review and ultimate approval.