DOTHAN, Ala. — The city of Dothan is moving forward with plans for a new community center on the east side of town, following the approval of $7.7 million in federal funding. This financial boost, secured through the efforts of Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, is expected to provide much-needed space for both public safety departments and local residents.
Dothan’s Mayor, Mark Saliba, expressed his enthusiasm about the federal funding, calling it an “exciting day for Dothan.” The new facility will be located on Ennis Road, strategically positioned between the Wiregrass Public Safety Center and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences building.
City officials have highlighted the dual purpose of the community center, which will serve as a venue for law enforcement and fire departments to host events and training. Additionally, the center will be open for community rentals, offering versatile space for both small and large gatherings. Dothan City Manager Randy Morris emphasized that the design of the building is currently underway, with an expected completion timeline for the design phase of four to six months. Once finalized, construction of the center is projected to take between 12 to 16 months.
“We believe this project will help meet a growing need for public facilities in the area,” said Morris. “It’s a space that can be adapted to suit a variety of community needs and events.”
Mayor Saliba echoed this sentiment, noting that as the city continues to expand and develop new public buildings, the addition of the community center will be a “win-win” for the entire Dothan area. The center’s location on the east side of the city will help ensure that residents from all corners of Dothan have access to these new public resources.
The community center is just one of several initiatives designed to enhance infrastructure and services throughout Dothan. As construction moves forward, residents and city leaders alike are looking forward to the positive impact the new facility will bring to the area.
