Calling it Mariposa’s “Mariposa’s stimulus,” developer Neil Cordero told the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors that construction of a new human services building could mean $4.5 million in labor costs. That could be a huge boost to the county’s lagging construction industry.

Cordero and the architects of the project discussed details of the plan with the board on Tuesday morning. The County has been working toward solidifying plans for some time. Cordero said the County could occupy the new building by May 1, 2011.

“We proposed something that was quite a bit different,” Cordero said of the project. He explained that the new building is a partnership between the County, the architect and the developer. The new building will be constructed on ground at 5366 Highway 49 North.

The concept behind the project is to house all human services departments under one roof. Currently, eight branches of the department are scattered in various rentals around town. Cordero said the building will provide “consolidation and efficiency” for clients. It will also be constructed to LEED standards of sustainability.

The project includes a separate structure focused on family services that features a “living room environment” for services. It also has a plaza and can easily adapt to departmental changes in coming years.

“It fosters collaboration between departments,” the architect said.

Human Services Director Jim Rydingsword called the new building, which the County will lease from the developer for 25 years, a “one stop service center.” He said it meets the long term needs of his department.

Rydingsword explained that consolidating the many divisions of his department, the County will realize enough savings to pay the lease on the new building.

Cordero said the project will break ground in April of next year. It is expected to be completed the following May.