City staff and representatives of HCL Indio Land Development LLC updated the Indio City Council on progress under an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) for city‑owned property behind the former Indio Fashion Mall.

Staff said work is underway to clear about 31 recorded easements that have impeded development; the developer reported that 13 easements had been removed and the rest are in process. The developer’s representative also said a peer review of a 2023 appraisal and questions raised about a 2021 environmental review (conducted by Earth Systems for the city) must be resolved before the parties proceed to finalize a development deal and a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA).

Don Kelly (representing the ENA) and a representative of The Hagan Company described current market traction along Highway 111, noting negotiations for leases on two buildings and conceptual plans for additional buildings. The developer said the interior mall may be demolished after new buildings are ready and that Gottschalk’s and Sears buildings are being evaluated separately.

Councilmembers pressed the developer on the community vision, infrastructure constraints (including utility easements and power), and the timeline for entitlements. Speakers in public comment urged stronger community engagement, questioned the pace of progress compared with prior promises, and suggested the city consider options that would return some property to long‑standing local families or community groups.

City staff said that once the environmental contingency is resolved and easements are cleared, the parties are prepared to negotiate a DDA and return to council for entitlements and approvals.

No formal action or final approval of a DDA was recorded at the meeting; the ENA update was received for the record.