I operate Desert Wine Shop on 111 located at 73360 Highway 111, Suite 1, Palm Desert 92260.

For years we have been dealing with the homeless encampment behind the derelict and abandoned building that was once McGowan's Irish Inn. 

Over the years, we have been exposed to flagrant intravenous drug use, hypodermic needles left at our back door, obscenities yelled and psychotic episodes taking place in front of the shop, customers harassed, and employees threatened. 

The abandoned building is not just a public nuisance, it is a health and safety issue. 

The parking lot that is between our properties is also owned by the absentee owner of the building. It has not been maintained and the asphalt is crumbling and disintegrating. As a result, there are huge divots and holes that have caused customers to trip and fall. Because we do not have control over this parking lot, we cannot make necessary repairs to protect people from injury.

The abandoned building has become a beacon for the homeless and threatens the livelihood and security of not only the surrounding businesses but also the residential neighborhood directly across the alley. These are families with children that shouldn't be subjected to the offensive, threatening, and unpredictable behavior of the transients that occupy this abandoned space. 

At what point will Palm Desert intervene and protect the tax paying business owners and residents who deserve better?

How can the city of Palm Desert condone this building that has fallen into such horrible disrepair? How can Palm Desert allow an out-of-state owner to abandon their business property with total disregard for the community?

Action must be taken in order to properly serve the citizens and business professionals of Palm Desert. 

The building must be torn down.