American Reproductive Centers continues path to rebuild 6 months after bombing
Athena Jreij
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – This week marks six months since a Twentynine Palms man bombed the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic off North Indian Canyon in Palm Springs.
The clinic has since moved into a temporary location across the street at El Mirador Plaza and taken on an ambitious reconstruction, hoping to rebuild and resume their work in the original location one year from the date.
Earlier this year, News Channel 3 followed up with clinic director Dr. Maher Abdallah on their goal to fully rebuild and move back into the clinic location one year to the day.
In a follow-up interview, Dr. Abdallah says they now expect to open Fall 2026, after just submitting construction permits to the city.
“We’re hoping that construction will start early next year, meaning January. The actual construction will take eight months. So the way things are looking, we’re looking at a probably September grand opening,” Dr. Abdallah says.
The new $20 million building will consist of one structure with two floors and increased security on premises.
“It’s 20,000 square foot, 10,000 on the first floor and 10,000 on the second floor, surgery center and then IVF lab and procedure room and our own clinic … We agreed on seven foot high walls all around the complex. Besides the the guard at the entrance, there will be more security inside the building. So, two armed guards on the premises.”
While in their temporary location, ARC has cut back on some work, but nevertheless Dr. Abdallah says they’ve produced a promising year.
“Embryos that survived the bombing are giving us a phenomenal pregnancy rate, the highest I’ve seen in 26 years. Just like we did today with the two transfers, both were frozen from before the bombing. Both look perfect, and my gut feeling says both will get pregnant,” he said.
Dr. Abdallah says they’re still completing about 15 embryo transfers a month on schedule. Since the bombing, they’ve increased their clinical pregnancy rate from 74% before the bombing, to 81% now.
The results are something Dr. Abdallah calls simply a miracle, and one that allows him to focus on the future rather than the past.
“It’s going to be a good year. We will probably have around 80 live births.”