College of the Desert Announces Groundbreaking Dates for Palm Springs and Cathedral City Campuses

College of the Desert has set a date for its groundbreaking ceremony for two major campuses on the western edge of the Coachella Valley.

COD Interim Superintendent/President Laura Hope announced the grand opening dates for the West Valley campus in Palm Springs and Roadrunner Motors in Cathedral City during her “Happy Hour with Hope” listening sessions.

“We were here with our community to share all of our plans and also to invite them to these exciting events that really mark our next phase of College of the Desert,” Hope said.

Check out: College of the Desert’s Indio campus celebrates expansion

Hope said officials will break ground on Roadrunner Motors’ construction at the Cathedral City Auto Plaza on Oct. 16. The campus has faced numerous delays following the pandemic. At one point, the school had planned to move, but that plan was scrapped thanks to pressure from residents and local leaders.

The Roadrunner Motors campus will be an automotive technology training center that is expected to open near Cathedral City Auto Plaza at 67905 East Palm Canyon Drive. The project cost nearly $50 million and is expected to open in early 2026.

Meanwhile, the groundbreaking ceremony for the West Valley campus in Palm Springs will take place on November 14, as announced.

The West Valley campus has faced numerous delays for more than a decade. But now the school is moving forward with a construction start date.

According to the school, the first students should be welcomed in spring 2027.

The total budget for the project is estimated at $400 million.

Check out our previous coverage on proposed plans for the Palm Springs College of the Desert campus: