Over the past 30 years, the eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) has undergone significant changes in the name of “growth.” But for many of us, this so-called growth—focused on luxury development catering to tourism—feels violent. It displaces existing communities and drives up the cost of living, making it increasingly unaffordable to live here.
The rise of festival culture and events like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival have turned the desert into a hotspot for luxury projects. From the Thermal Club, with its multi-million-dollar homes and private racetrack, to the recently approved Thermal Beach Club, with its artificial surf lagoon, these developments cater to wealthy outsiders while neglecting the needs of those who already live here.
In fact, the ECV has become a prime target for developers who view the desert’s open land as their playground. The latest proposal is the Thermal Ranch, an expansion of the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP). The project promises jobs, infrastructure improvements and entertainment—but it’s clear this development isn’t for us.
The developers themselves describe it as “a luxury private club for the patrons of DIHP and the world famous Coachella Valley Polo Clubs,” including multi-million-dollar homes, resorts and a 5-million-gallon water reservoir for a beach club, pool and horses—which can drink up to 30,000 gallons of water daily. Meanwhile, families at Oasis Mobile Home Park, about 10 minutes down the street, still lack access to clean drinking water.
The proposed Thermal Ranch will be less than a mile from Desert Mirage High School, Toro Canyon Middle School, Las Palmitas Elementary School and nearby mobile home communities. These neighbors will be the first to feel the impacts of the project’s significant and unavoidable effects on local air quality.
The ranch plans to house up to 2,700 horses, which would produce about 140,000 pounds of manure daily. Manure can contain harmful bacteria, viruses and other pollutants. Long-term exposure to manure-related emissions like ammonia and methane, combined with the region’s existing environmental challenges—including the drying Salton Sea—will only worsen the respiratory and health issues already plaguing our communities. Improper manure management could also contaminate our water, creating even more risks for us.
While the project’s promises of job creation and infrastructure improvements may sound attractive in an area with limited opportunities, it’s critical to consider the long-term consequences and to make sure the promised benefits don’t outweigh the risks. We are more than a workforce. Luxury developments like this often lead to gentrification and violent displacement, as seen with the survivors of Section 14 in Palm Springs.
This isn’t a new story. Throughout American history, working-class people have been exploited and displaced to make room for the wealthy. Thermal Ranch is just the latest example.
Developers often claim that their projects will benefit the community, but these promises aren’t fulfilled. Let’s be clear: Thermal Ranch is not for us. Its focus on exclusivity and luxury proves that its true purpose is to serve the wealthy, not to address the real needs of ECV residents.
We refuse to accept that luxury development is the only path to progress for our communities. Why should basic necessities like clean water, affordable housing and basic infrastructure depend on luxury development?
More than 70 residents, partners and advocates signed onto a comment letter, detailing the harmful impacts of Thermal Ranch and demanding accountability. We urge decision-makers to listen to the community and prioritize equitable, sustainable solutions that serve everyone—not just a privileged few.
The voices of the community are clear: This project is not welcome. The land targeted for this project is not “empty.” It’s already home to families, schools and land that sustains us. Projects like Thermal Ranch threaten our homes, our health and our future.
Our communities are already rich with strength, resilience and solidarity. Time and again, we’ve shown up for one another. Where elected officials and systems have failed us, we have stepped up. It’s time we center community-driven solutions that prioritize the well-being of people over profits.
Cecilia Lemus, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, was born and raised in the eastern Coachella Valley. A University of California, Riverside, graduate, she works with a local nonprofit, collaborating with ECV youth and communities on environmental justice, housing and transportation issues.
I am a resident in a senior development next to a “party central” house in a small (3 or 4 houses) development which is landlocked, so access was initially allowed through our community before the 2 or 3 bedroom house became a 10 bedroom party central house with drunks crawling over our walls, loud music all night, etc. and it is zoned “residential”. His response? To sue us! More of this is coming. Look out.
Thank you Cecilia for your article! The working class people of the Coachella Valley been under represented for a long time.
Interesting Read, we need more information on all the land that is being bought up by large corporations,
Thank you for writing this, Cecilia. I’m glad the CV Independent shares such important (and often overlooked) viewpoints.
Great job Cecilia. The ECV needs voices like yours to represent the working families in the area.
Unfortunately gentrification is real and is everywhere in this country – outside developers come in to smaller communities, especially working class areas. They buy land, redevelop with no input from the existing community, cash out and leave town.
Hopefully this article raises awareness and gets the community motivated to fight back!