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The Las Cruces City Council voted 7-0 on Oct. 7 to send $278,500 to Jardin de los Niños for building repair efforts, seeking to replace the roof of the city-owned building where the nonprofit resides.
Jardin de Los Niños, which operates a daycare for homeless and near-homeless children, uses a city-owned building on the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope campus with a roof that requires repair.
According to city housing program specialist Raymond Burchfield, the money allocated from the federal grant covers less than half of the project's estimated cost of $650,000.
“That’s a rough estimation at this point,” Burchfield said, adding that Jardin de los Niños has also secured about $250,000 in state funds for a total of $528,500.
Councilor Johana Bencomo asked Burchfield how Jardin de los Niños would cover the remaining gap.
“Further state funding,” Burchfield said. “So far, the city has not thrown in any more money, but that is always at your discretion.”
Natalie Green, the city’s housing and neighborhood services administrator, said the project is currently in the design phase, even as efforts are underway to find the rest of the money.
Green also noted that a lease agreement between Jardin de Los Niños and the city requires the city to address issues with the building’s roof.
“We’ll continue to work with them, either to design to the existing budget or find additional resources,” Green said.
The project's two funding sources so far are the Community Development Block Grant, a federal housing and urban development infrastructure funding source, and capital outlay, money assigned by state legislators for brick-and-mortar projects.
According to documents submitted with the proposal, the roof needs a complete replacement.
During the discussion, several councilors said the organization provides vital services for children in the community.
“I think Jardin de Los Niños is something that we really have to protect and make sure that it continues with its services,” said Councilor Yvonne Flores. “I’d hate to see it close down because there is a flaw in the building.”
Councilor Bill Mattiace asked if the city was “behind on maintenance” on the building. Burchfield said he wasn’t aware whether the roof replacement had been delayed but noted that the building was over 20 years old.
“As a city, I don’t know where we’re throwing all the money, but we should maintain what we have (including) this program and this building,” Mattiace said.
