Updated 5:17 p.m., Feb 25 to include new opening date.

The city of Katy is getting a new City Hall this year—a three-story 33,000-square-foot traditional style building that replaces the offices city staff now work in.

“We have carved a lot of these offices into spaces with two people,” Katy Mayor Fabol Hughes said of the current city offices. “This building, it’s so outdated. It’s falling apart. The [air conditioning] is out of date and not efficient.”

The new City Hall will feature what Hughes called a traditional style that fits in with the community. The building highlights include Roman columns, brickwork and a tower with three clocks facing to the south, west and east atop the structure.

Hughes said the design was a result of ideas from city staff members and feedback from city residents who responded to a questionnaire.

The total cost of the project is about $7.5 million. The city will have paid for the structure in full at the time of its opening, Hughes said.

“The citizens will own this building from day one–without a bond or a tax increase,” he said.

Kayce Reina, director of tourism, marketing and public relations for the city, said the building would house various city departments, such as utility billing, permits, and the city administration staff.

“It will feature a larger and outfitted City Council chambers, ample meeting spaces, offices and plenty of room for growth,” Reina said.

While some details are still in the works, Reina said much of the interior has been finalized.

“We will be featuring historical photographs of Katy along with displaying pieces that speak to our heritage,” she said. ”Because we are a tree city, all of our conference rooms will be named after native trees and feature artwork specific to each tree.”

 A grand opening ceremony that was scheduled for April 22 was  cancelled. The new opening date for the City Hall is June 10.

Hughes and City Administrator Byron Hebert both credited former mayor Don Elder for developing the idea of building a new City Hall.

Hebert said Elder first had the vision of the new building many years ago.

“We put that vision in place four years ago,” Hebert said.