Mayor Justin Coffman shared the limelight with immediate-past mayor, Richard Reno, other former mayors, and members of the current and past city councils at grand opening ceremonies for Midlothian’s new City Hall and Library held last Saturday, Dec. 7.

A crowd of about 700 were treated to a performance by select members of the Midlothian school district All-City Choir to kick off the ceremony.

In opening remarks, Mayor Coffman noted, “Our staff and council will bring to this facility the same high level of service and respect for our citizens that we have been consistently providing for decades. The building was designed and configured purposely to maximize accessibility, efficiency, and convenience for the public it is meant to serve.”

City Manager Chris Dick recounted that the idea of a new town square was envisioned in the Downtown Master Plan that was adopted by City Council in 2020. Subsequently, the City Council put before voters a bond proposition in 2021 to build the new facility.

He said “By approving the bond proposition, our citizens entrusted city leadership to create a civic center that would serve our community for generations to come, and I believe we have accomplished that with this exceptional facility.”

During the ceremony, members of the current and approving city councils, and the former mayors received commemorative “keys to the city.”

Both Chris Dick and Assistant City Manager Clyde Melick were awarded original artwork, depicting the unique tree sculpture that adorns the children’s area of the library, with the inscription, “In recognition of planting a dream that will grow strong and endure for generations to come.”

Mayor Coffman used a big ceremonial key to officially “unlock” the doors to the crowd that streamed in to take tours and relish the day.