Katy city officials broke ground Jan. 15 on the site for a new city hall across from the current facility on Avenue C.



The new city hall will be a three-story, 33,000-square-foot building. Construction is expected to take a year with the building scheduled to open in spring 2016.



Mayor Fabol Hughes said construction of a new city hall is overdue, citing deteriorating conditions and overcrowding in the city's current building located at 910 Ave. C.



"[The current city hall] is starting to deteriorate rapidly," he said. "There are cracks in the wall, leaks in the roof, the air conditioning and heating system is all outdated and overloaded. We're doubled up in offices almost sitting on top of each other. This is the right time to get the new building going."



Hughes credited previous administrations for having the foresight to create a fund for the construction of the new building, which is expected to cost between $6.8 million and $7.3 million.



"[Previous administrations] put money away, and we now have a very nice reserve account for this building," he said. "When this building is complete next year, we'll write a check for it. There will be no tax increase and no bond. The citizens of Katy will own this building free and clear."