Community, city leaders and project partners celebrate historic milestone at Herfurth Park
ROWLETT, Texas — The City of Rowlett marked a defining moment in its history on Saturday, April 26, with a spirited community celebration and ceremonial groundbreaking for its future Municipal Complex. Hosted at Herfurth Park, the event drew many residents, elected officials, project partners, and city staff to commemorate the beginning of construction on what will become a cornerstone of Rowlett’s civic life.
“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 new Municipal Complex will unify essential 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. The project is the largest capital investment in the city’s history and was made possible through the 2023 voter-approved bond initiative.
The groundbreaking celebration featured a DJ, food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, 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 and its community impact.
“We’re honored to help shape this future-facing facility alongside the City of Rowlett and all the stakeholders who brought this vision to life,” said James Beers, principal at Hoefer Welker. “It’s designed to serve the community with intention and impact.”
Traci Petersen, project executive for Swinerton, added, “We’re proud to break ground not only on a complex, but on a partnership rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose.”
A Community Milestone, Built Together
The project reflects the work of the Community Investment Program Task Force, a group of dedicated residents who helped shape the vision and ensure it met the needs of the Rowlett community.
“This is your complex. Your city. Your future,” said Community Engagement Manager Janine Reyes as she closed the ceremony. “Thank you for helping us build it.”
Construction will continue over the next few years, with ongoing updates and opportunities for community involvement to be shared through the City of Rowlett’s communication channels.
For more information about the Rowlett Municipal Complex project, visit http://www.rowlett.com.
Submitted by Janine Reyes, Community Engagement Manager, City of Rowlett
