The May 17 car bombing outside of the American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs caused between $6 million and $12 million worth of damage, the city revealed for the first time on Wednesday.
Most of the damage was sustained by American Reproductive Centers and the buildings immediately surrounding it, Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles said during a council meeting.
The cost of rebuilding the fertility clinic and other nearby structures is estimated to be $5 million to $10 million, with all other buildings suffering $1.5 million to $2 million in damage, according to a preliminary city analysis.
“It’s been a very difficult and trying time for everyone involved,” Stiles said.
The report came as part of an update on the city’s efforts to help the community recover from a vehicle bombing the FBI has described as an intentional act of terrorism, which killed only the prime suspect, but injured four bystanders.
The Palm Springs Fire Department has surveyed 56 buildings potentially impacted by the explosion, marking five as unsafe to occupy and recording 27 others as damaged. Stiles said four buildings were considered a “complete loss.”
Some nearby businesses that sustained heavy damage have already reopened, while others are still undergoing repairs.
On Wednesday, the City Council unanimously approved the creation of a disaster overlay zone for the area surrounding the bomb site to aid properties and businesses in rebuilding over the next six months. Property owners within the zone will be eligible for reduced building and permit fees, and license applications will be expedited.
The city noted in a report on the disaster zone that much of the damage caused by the bomb involved broken windows, which do not require building fees. But city officials hope those buildings that did suffer greater damage will be able to resume normal operations quickly.
“Their employees aren’t working. They’re not generating sales, and they’ve got to find a way to pay some really significant bills,” Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte said during the meeting.
The recovery efforts are taking place as the FBI and local law enforcement continue to investigate the bombing. Palm Springs police spokesperson Lt. Mike Villegas said during the meeting that federal agents had returned to the scene to analyze residual materials as they work to identify the substances used to cause the explosion.
American Reproductive Centers, which was targeted by a person who allegedly held beliefs against bringing new people into the world, has already moved to a temporary location and has continued to provide its services. Local developer Grit Development provided the company eight months of rent-free storage, which the business will use for non-biological material.
A fundraising effort started by local business leaders has also raised over $100,000 to reimburse businesses and homeowners for building expenses. Organizers initially hoped to receive a minimum of $100,000, but have set their sights higher now that cost estimates have come in.
They now hope to raise $250,000. More info on how to donate can be seen at tinyurl.com/RebuildPalmSprings.
Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs bombing caused up to $12 million worth of damage, city says
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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