College Of The Desert West Valley Campus

If you have taken a ride out toward I-10 on Indian Avenue lately, you have no doubtly seen the activity taking place near Tramview Rd.  It is the very beginning stages of the West Valley Campus of the College of the Desert.

This ambitious project, that began with a voter approved Bond measure back in 2004, will surely transform the north end of Palm Springs for years to come.  Not just the intial jobs - estimated at 200 to 250 - but, once open, the ongoing employment opportunities.  More importantly the concept and plan for the school involves heavy use of the emerging green technologies.  The campus itself is designed to generate all of its own power from day one. 

With help from Southern California Edison the school will open with a solar plant already in place. Design elements have been put in place to use the wind and sun to maximum advantage while still having a very user friendly campus. Artists renderings on the site are very exciting, be sure to check those out.

[caption id="attachment_1577" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Artists Concept Of West Valley COD Campus"][/caption]

The campus is to be built out in several phases but the first one will open in 2014.  There are 119 acres on the site. The economic boost to the Palm Springs area will be very welcome but the hidden benefits of this great community resource may be the biggest pay off.  Attracting talented professionals and a younger demographic to the Palm Springs area could make our great, diverse community even more dynamic and appealing.