JCS Plus JCC Equals Two-Story Addition by April 2012

The design phase of the $2.5 million project to relocate Jewish Community Services (JCS) from its current office to an addition at the (JCC) is underway, with construction expected to start in this May and be completed by April 2012.

The two-story addition will be located on top of the JCC Owing Mill’s preschool portion, according to Theresa White, chief of staff to Sen. Robert Zirkin, who has introduced a bond bill to help finance the project. 

The addition, which is being built on an Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore-owned structure, totals 25,000 square feet, dividing 12,500 square feet for JCS and 12,500 square feet for JCC. The additional space allows for expanded services and programmatic uses. There will be separate entrances for the JCS and the JCC preschool.

Despite its title, most of JCS’ services-- like counseling and career advisement-- are open to the general community. Some funding does stipulate services for Jewish-only clients.

The idea to relocate JCS to the JCC Owings Mills is not new. Plans to do so several years ago were shelved after the economy took a nose dive, JCS spokeswoman Gail Lipsitz said.

Lipsitz said the JCS auxiliary office in Owings Mills currently rents space in an office building at 6 Park Center Court. She said there were two reasons for the move.

“The current office is crowded, and we would like to have more room,” said Lipsitz. “Also, we wanted to co-locate with the JCC Owings Mills, just as we are co-located with the , in order to better serve the community.”

According to a fact sheet attached to the bond bill, the lease on JCS’ office of 5,000 square feet also expires in April 2012. 

Zirkin and Del. Dan Morhaim, Jon Cardin and Dana Stein, of the 11th legislative district, have introduced companion bills (SB 811/HB 1260) in their respective chambers. The bond bill would provide up to $250,000 in matching state money for the design, construction and renovation of the facility.

The bill would be part of the state’s general obligation bonds for FY 2012. The Senate and House of Delegates are allowed $15 million, split evenly, for legislators to introduce bills for local projects. Nearly $36 million has been requested for local bills. It is not known whether the JCS bill will be among those that survive.

JCS Park Heights headquarters, at 5750 Park Heights Avenue, is located next to the JCC Park Heights building. JCS is an agency of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.

White said that a meeting was held with three community organizations—Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Coordinating Council, Valleys Planning Council and Greater Greenspring Association—to address any issues they had. A traffic study was done that showed minimal impact on the local roads.

County Councilwoman Vicki Almond, whose 2nd district includes the JCC Owings Mills, applauded the relocation.

“The expansion of needed services to benefit families in and around Owings Mills is an example of The Associated’s commitment to Northwest Baltimore County,” Almond said.