CROWNPOINT, N.M. — A project that first broke ground on May 3, 2024, is now officially moving forward.
After months of coordination and review, the project is advancing through an emergency procurement contract which Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed on February 5th with Bitco, allowing construction to proceed and addressing urgent safety and accessibility needs in the Eastern Agency.
The 7,900-square-foot modular building will house several Navajo Nation programs under one roof, expanding access to essential government services for families in the region. For many community members, the new facility will reduce long travel distances previously required to obtain basic services.
Programs scheduled to operate from the new facility include:
- Navajo Office of Vital Records & Identification
- Navajo Nation Department of Child Support Services
- Division of Community Development
- Navajo Health Education Program
- Navajo Election Administration
Services from the Office of Vital Records & Identification and the Department of Child Support Services are expected to begin by September.
The decision to move forward under emergency procurement was made due to unsafe conditions at the existing Crownpoint government facility, which tested positive for lead and asbestos and continues to experience heating system failures during winter months.
Protecting the health and safety of employees and community members remains a top priority.
Through coordination between the Division of Community Development, the Capital Projects Management Department, the Office of the Controller, and the Department of Justice, emergency approval was granted and Bitco was selected to advance the project on an expedited timeline.
“This project has been a priority since we broke ground last May,” said President Nygren. “Now we are taking the necessary steps to move it forward. Our communities in the Eastern Agency deserve safe facilities and reliable access to essential services.”
The advancement of the Crownpoint Modular Facility reflects the Navajo Nation’s continued commitment to strengthening infrastructure, improving service delivery, and following through on projects that directly impact the well-being of its people.
