Neighbors say Bahama Hotel cleanup deters crime

Neighbors of the Bahama Hotel in Palm Springs once considered it a hotbed for illegal activities.

“Drug deals coming down, prostitution, Johns, pimps, I mean you name it,” said Manny Montoya, who manages Mediterraneo Resort across the street.

But a year after the owner of the 26-unit apartment complex ordered all tenants to get out, things have changed.

“It took a while but it’s 200% better than when everything was concentrated there,” Montoya said, adding that it took a concerted effort to clean things up.

“It took police, fire, city leaders, and I think those property owners stepped forward and I know it took them a while for them to get to that point.”

“Right now it’s an empty building,” said attorney Simon A. Housman who represents the owner of the property.

Housman says the city recently settled its lawsuit against the Bahama Hotel for being a public nuisance. City officials weren’t immediately available to confirm that settlement.

“This all started because the city raised concerns about criminal activity. The owner was unaware of that activity and certainly didn’t want that going on at their property,” Housman said.

Housman says a property manager was hired to oversee the vacant building along with a 24-hour a day security guard. In the meantime the owner is deciding what to do next.

“The owner hasn’t decided if they will remodel it, sell it, or do something else with it, they’re still investigating what will be financially feasible.”

Montoya says the mid-century modern building has a lot of potential, and he wouldn’t mind seeing another hotel boost the reputation of this area.

“When you come off the 10 down Highway 111 this is the first thing you see. I look at this part of town as Palm Springs’ first impression. We’re going to work on that and make it just that,” he said.