City Council approves special recovery zone for dozens of businesses impacted by fertility clinic bombing

Palm Springs elected officials Wednesday night approved a disaster recovery zone with reduced fees to help more than 50 businesses rebuild from an estimated $6 million to $12 million in damage caused by the May 17 terrorist bombing that killed the suspect and injured four people at a fertility clinic on North Indian Canyon Drive.

The City Council unanimously approved the disaster overlay zone during a regular meeting which saw multiple department heads give a report on the city’s response following the bombing. The zone covers several blocks around the bombing site at 1199 North Indian Canyon Drive and offers reduced permit fees and expedited review processes for damaged businesses.

“We estimate there’s a total of 56 businesses impacted by the bombing,” City Manager Scott Stiles said. “Of those buildings, four buildings and businesses were a complete loss. The remaining 52 have minor damage to doors and windows that were blown out.”

During the meeting, city officials praised the response of emergency personnel and provided updates on the ongoing FBI investigation. Police Lt. Mike Villegas said the FBI has returned to the explosion site for further evidence collection and is actively monitoring dark web forums. Police continue to provide overnight security at the bombing site.

“In conjunction with federal cyber crime units, we are actively monitoring the dark web forums to identify whether other individuals or groups share the same ideology,” Villegas said. “Our goal is to detect and disrupt any further potential threats before they escalate.”

The FBI previously identified the deceased bomber as a 25-year-old Twentynine Palms resident. Investigators continue analyzing physical and digital evidence to determine what substances were used in the explosion.

During his presentation, Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado described the swift response by emergency crews who arrived within minutes of the 10:49 a.m. blast on Saturday, May 17. He played a recording of first responders’ activity immediately following the blast.

“What you heard was a calm, collected radio report from the initial fire responders that arrived on scene,” Alvarado told the Council. “Taking immediate action, providing (information) to incoming units, requesting resources from our county agency and establishing a command post and taking immediate action to preserve life and property. And if you look at the arrival time — so quick — no hesitation from the initial blast.”

The disaster overlay zone will be used to assist city staff in reducing or eliminating many city fees for businesses needing to rebuild. Building permits that typically take up to 30 business days will be reviewed within three to five days. Business license applications will be processed within two days instead of the normal timeframe.

Deputy City Manager Flinn Fagg — who asked Wednesday that the zone be expanded to include several other properties — said the aim is to reduce financial barriers for rebuilding.

“We want to get businesses back up and running as quickly as possible,” Fagg said.

Among the most heavily damaged buildings were four American Reproductive Centers (ARC) buildings — the target of the bombing — which are considered total losses. An American Surgical Centers building, a Denny’s restaurant, Palm Springs Liquors and a WorldMark resort property were initially red-tagged as unsafe for occupancy but should be able to reopen.

The fertility clinic has since relocated to a new facility across the street at the El Mirador Building, where it resumed operations Tuesday afternoon.

“All of the medical office materials and reproductive materials have been moved,” Olson said. “It’s a testament to both Dr. (Maher) Abdallah, our counsel, the city manager, and the team that helped him get to that point.”

The community has rallied to support affected businesses through the Rebuild Palm Springs fundraiser, which has raised $106,000. Mayor Ron deHarte acknowledged several large donations, including $10,000 from the Old Las Palmas neighborhood organization and $5,000 from Modernism Week.

The disaster overlay zone will automatically expire on Nov. 30, unless extended by the City Council.

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