PHARR, Texas – The Pharr Economic Development Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony for Mi Jardin Plaza, a new complex that will house an adult day care facility catering to special needs adults with additional retail and commercial space.
Mission City Councilman Jose Alberto Vela, owner of the Mi Jardin Adult Day Care Centers, says that the opening of this third location will meet the needs of many residents who are looking for a safe place for their adult children or elderly family members, both of whom will have their own activities and events.
“As a father of a special needs teenager, I know firsthand the importance of entrusting the care of your loved ones to qualified individuals,” said Vela “… We have an entire team of experts on this project to ensure that we have the top-of-the-line, quality development here in the hub of the Valley: Pharr, Texas.”
The 18,040-square-foot building will be able to serve 350 people. Vela anticipates about 150 of those individuals will have special needs and says that he and his team have developed a program tailored specifically for them. Taking research from groups in Colorado, Austin and even New York, the adults will have a specialized curriculum that will focus on expanding their skills and hobbies and include activities like cooking, money management and exercise to help with daily living. The center will also have its own Special Olympics team and rehabilitative services will be available to clients.
“We’re very excited,” said Vela. “We want to do the best for the community. We want all the community to be welcome. We want them to take pride in the place they attend, and we want to provide the best service.”
When asked why Pharr was chosen, Vela said a major draw was its central location and close proximity to medical offices, hospitals and entertainment venues for clients. He added that city officials were always accessible and willing to work with his team’s ideas. With incentives through the EDC also being provided, the decision was easily made.
Pharr Commissioner Ricardo Medina, who spoke at the event in place of Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, congratulated Vela and thanked him for entrusting the city with his vision.
“This is something that’s great for citizens; it’s great for the city of Pharr; and, it’s great for everybody,” said Medina.
Victor Perez, president and CEO of the Pharr EDC, said he was very happy to finally see this project come to fruition as he and Vela began discussions about the plaza before the pandemic. Besides all the innovative services that will be provided at Mi Jardin Adult Day Care Center, Perez highlighted the retail and commerce space that will also be part of the complex. He teased that Vela was in talks with potential tenants, including a restaurant chain that would be new to the Valley. Whatever businesses ultimately occupy the plaza, Perez is confident that residents will be pleased.
“We want to provide our citizens with more places to go, more options to purchase and come shopping, and, of course, a place to eat,” said Perez. “So, it’s all going to be good. I’m excited.”
Paul Vazaldua, owner of Vazaldua and Associates and project developer for Mi Jardin Plaza, said construction will begin next week and take approximately three months. He said a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled for late spring or early summer.
In his speech, Vazaldua thanked the city, the Pharr EDC and all the firms that worked on the design and planning of Mi Jardin Plaza.
“I’m just excited to be working on this project in the City of Pharr,” said Vazaldua. “It’s going to be new and innovative for South Texas, and I think that it will benefit many folks in the region.”
Perez added that Pharr residents should expect more exciting projects around the corner as the EDC has been inundated with calls for potential business.
“We’re working a lot of calls of people wanting to come and invest in the City of Pharr,” said Perez. “… So, it’s just great that word is around that we’re doing a lot of great things here.”
Mi Jardin Plaza will be located at 1206 W. Sam Houston Boulevard, Pharr, Texas.
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