Grand Prairie now has one place where residents can take care of Dallas County business.
The county's newest government center, which is located downtown on Church and Center streets, brings a handful of departments together under one roof.
Now, residents won't have to travel through a maze of different offices to get county business done, Mayor Charles England said.
"When the old facility was built, the population was about 40,000," he said. "Now we're approaching 180,000, and county buildings are scattered all over the city."
The tax, juvenile, constable, justice of the peace and truancy departments will now all be at the heart of the city.
"I can tell you the merchants in downtown Grand Prairie can't wait for this to be open," England said. "It's going to be a big boost of the revitalization of downtown, without question."
It is the first time in 40 years that Dallas County has constructed a brand-new government center. The 31,500-square-foot subcourthouse cost about $8 million.
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"I think it's about legacy," County Commissioner Elba Garcia said. "It's about growing with the times. It's about looking at the future. But, more importantly, it's about being sure that the services, that our residents need, are there."
New jobs will be created, and about 100 people will be working in the facility, she said.
England said he is happy to see the center come at the end of his 21 years of city service.
"We've got a lot to be proud of, and I'm going to sit back and enjoy watching it," he said.
The departments that will occupy the building will move in during the next couple of weeks.
