The City of Rowlett broke ground on its new Municipal Complex on April 26, a project that represents the largest capital investment in the city’s history.

Hosted at Herfurth Park, the groundbreaking drew residents, elected officials, project partners, and city staff to commemorate the beginning of construction on what is anticipated to become a cornerstone of Rowlett’s civic life.

There were also food trucks, bounce houses, a DJ, giveaways, and a commemorative coin for early attendees. During the ceremony, community leaders were joined by representatives from design firm Hoefer Welker, construction firm Swinerton, and engineering teams from Lamb-Star, Terracon, and SAM, all of whom shared their excitement for the project.

According to a release, the new Municpal Complex will be located on approximately 25 acres at 4601 Centennial Dr. This facility will house the new City Hall, city administrative offices, police department headquarters, fire administrative offices, and animal shelter. The grounds will include walking trails, community gathering spaces, playgrounds, and a dog park.

Ready for groundbreaking at new city of Rowlett municipal complex.City of Rowlett

"This is more than a building project," said Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Winget during the ceremony. "It’s a long-term investment in service, safety, and civic pride - built for today’s Rowlett and the generations that will follow."

The current police, municipal court, and detention center at 4401 Rowlett Rd. is a 24,300-square-foot structure built in 1984 as office building, then purchased by the city in 1994. The city has more than doubled its police force (from 39 officers in 1994 to 105 officers plus 37 civilian employees) today. Locker space, office space, and parking are all overwhelmed by the city's demands.

The project was made possible through voter approval of the 2023 bond election, as well as the work of the Community Investment Program Task Force, whose members volunteered their time and expertise to help shape Rowlett’s future.

The new Municipal Complex will unify city functions to include City Hall, police and fire administration, courts, the city jail, an animal shelter, and community park space, all into a single modern campus.

Other less obvious but no less valuable benefits include:

• Security and access features that are standard for a modern public safety building
• Space for future growth: The proposed facility will be designed to serve the City of Rowlett for years to come and can be expanded in the future if necessary to accommodate full build-out.
• Technology: The new facility will provide access control, dispatch services, surveillance, audio/video recording of interview rooms, drone operations, encrypted GMRS radio system, and computer networking

Construction will continue over the next few years, with a tentative completion taking place in spring 2027.