Anna celebrates opening of new municipal complex

Nearly all city staff now office out of the building. The police are in the facility
as well, while the fire department is next door in a new building that was completed last year.
courtesy photo

For the Anna-Melissa Tribune A sizable contingent of residents gathered in front of the new Anna Municipal Complex to witness a major local milestone on Sept. 13. They watched as Mayor Nate Pike cut a ceremonial blue ribbon officially dedicating the new facility. He was flanked by the current city council, staff members, and others who played a part in the building’s construction.

“It is such a special day in Anna Texas,” Pike said. “We are definitely adding a new chapter into our history.”

Before cutting the ribbon, he thanked a long list of people who helped make the building a reality. They included city manager Jim Proce, Randall Scott Architects, Lee Lewis Construction, former mayor Mike Crist, council members past and present, and city attorney Clark McCoy. He gave an extra special thanks to public works director Greg Peters, who oversaw the project from a city staff perspective while still performing the duties of his department.

Plans for the building have been in the works for years. While there are still a few minor details yet to be completed, the mayor said that he and the staff were eager to go ahead and celebrate the milestone.

Nearly all city staff now office out of the building. The police are in the facility as well, while the fire department is next door in a new building that was completed last year.

According to Pike, this setup makes it more convenient for residents and others doing business with the city. Having all city staff so close together will also allow them to grow closer as a team, collaborate more and keep the city’s long-term vision moving forward. It’s a facility he believes that everyone should be very proud of. He considers it a blessing to have completed the project despite all the challenges the city has faced over the past couple of years.

“This is a building that brings us together,” Pike said. “As we continue to grow, one of the most important things is making sure that we have a facility that serves, first and foremost, our neighbors and our citizens.”

Following the ribbon-cutting, the mayor invited everyone in attendance to come inside to tour the facility and enjoy some light refreshments. The majority of them took him up on the offer, eager to see the final product after years of planning.