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PB&J Family Services to get new building after county vote
PB&J Family Services, in the 1100 block of Lopez SW in the South Valley, on Wednesday.
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PB&J Family Services, a nonprofit organization in the South Valley, provides aid and programming to around 2,000 families and at-risk children annually. The organization stated that its county-owned building, built early in the last century, is ready for an upgrade.
“We are, unfortunately, in a building that’s over 100 years old and has been partially condemned,” said Angie Vachio, one of the nonprofit’s founders and current board president.
The new building will be about 6,100 square feet and includes two classrooms, therapy rooms, support areas and play spaces.
A 5-0 vote at the Bernalillo County Commission was the first of two. The measure will have to be voted on again at the next meeting in two weeks.
Commissioner Frank Baca, one of two sponsors of the resolution, said the county’s Behavioral Health Initiative, which levies a one-eighth percent gross receipts tax on county residents, supplied part of the funding for this project. County documents show that capital outlay and general obligation bond funding are also being used.
In all, the project is expected to cost $8,858,449. Tuesday’s vote was the first step in funding the second phase of the effort.
“This is a very unique organization that, for 50 years, has not only been educating children but families in need,” said co-sponsor Barbara Baca.
The project has its roots in 2017 when the county began exploring options to renovate the center.
According to records presented Tuesday, the deteriorated condition of the facilities, limited buildable land and the county’s desire to maintain services without interruption led the county to construct a new facility instead.
