(Seguin) — The city is now offering a one-stop-shop for all things related to growth and development in Seguin. The new Development Services Center officially opens today at 108 E. Mountain Street, at the corner of Mountain and River streets.
Seguin Mayor Don Keil says that he’s excited about the center opening it’s doors. He says it’s located one block north of Seguin City Hall, and it’s a great asset for the city.
“What I’m excited so much about is not only the functionality of it — (but) there were so many people crammed into probably, 25 percent of the upper floor at City Hall, and they now have this beautiful spacious building to work in. There’s going to be so much better productivity involved. They’ll be much better at their jobs. I think it’s going to be such a great place for the contractors to come and be able to do what they need to do with the planning department. Also, with all of the developers that are coming into town, this is a great face of the city for these developers that are coming in and dealing with the city, with the plats and the codes, and all the things that are necessary for all the growth that we are going through. This is going to be just an amazing asset for us as we go on,” said Keil.
City Manager Doug Faseler says the center will help the city meet the growing demands placed on the departments that will be housed there.
“We look at it as a one-stop development center — not just for development, but also our citizens doing a remodel, needing a building permit, (or) needing a garage sale permit. Rather than going through City Hall, going to the second floor, standing in the narrow hallway with the short counter space — here it’s on the ground floor, (there’s) convenient parking and it’s just much more accessible and convenient for everyone,” said Faseler.
The building not only provides the city a better way to meet with developers and others looking to build in Seguin, but it also represents a significant investment in the downtown historic district. The project had construction costs nearly $1.7 million, with additional funds used for new furniture, fixtures and equipment for the building. The Koehler Company handled the construction services, and the building was designed by TSG Architects. Faseler says it all becomes a very welcome addition to downtown Seguin.
“As far as I can remember, there’s not been anything in this building in the 25 years that I’ve been here — not anything of substance. So it’s really been kind of a blight on this section of downtown on this corner. Working with Tim (Gescheidle), the architect, and also through the Main Street Program of the state of Texas, which we are also a member of — (we) came up with the renderings and the development plans for this building. It’s just beautiful,” said Faseler.
Mayor Keil agrees, and says that this building is a great addition to the downtown, and it will serve the city well for many years to come.
“There’s plenty of room to grow here. This will serve us for many, many years to come. It’s an incredibly beautiful addition to downtown. Just driving up off Mountain Street or up River Street — it just changed the entire look of everything. I think it’s made the Aumont Hotel (next door) look better. It’s made the whole area (look better). It’s just a great addition to downtown, and this blighted old building, we are glad that it’s not blighted any more,” said Keil.
The building once housed Cutcher Motors and Seguin Motor Company. It’s close proximity to City Hall makes it an ideal spot for the development center, according to city officials. They say the city has developed a campus like setting for many of its facilities in downtown Seguin.
The new Development Center will house all development-related departments, including building permits, building inspections, planning, code compliance, environmental health, engineering, project management and inspections.
The project is mostly complete, except for a neon like sign that will be placed on the outside of the building. The sign will fit in with the period in which the building was built, and looks similar to some of the original signage on the building. The city held a grand opening celebration for the building on Thursday, providing tours for the public.