By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
Cameron County has opened its new Williams Road Annex in San Benito, expanding county services to a location officials say provides greater public access and room for future growth.
Cameron County Pct. 3 Commissioner David A. Garza said that traffic congestion at the former Levi Building site on Frontage and Williams Road, particularly during peak school hours, raised concerns about accessibility and safety.
The county identified the 130 N. Oscar Williams Rd. property as an opportunity to expand services in San Benito, improve public access, and provide additional space for future expansion.
“As San Benito and surrounding communities continue to grow, the county recognized the importance of investing in a facility that improves public access to services and can serve residents for many years,” Garza said.
The Williams Road Annex currently houses several Cameron County offices and departments, including the Department of Resiliency & Natural Resources, Justice of the Peace Precincts 3-1 and 3-2, the Pct. 3 Constable’s Office, and Public Works and Construction Management.
The facility officially opened on Aug. 24, Garza said.
The county’s total investment in the property and facility is $11,609,653.90, including $6,909,653.90 for renovations. The site also provides approximately 84,500 square feet of space for potential future expansion as county service needs grow.
Work at the property is ongoing. Landscaping improvements are planned around the building, along with the development of a Nature Park intended to complement the county facility.
Garza said the county expects to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony once the landscaping project around the facility is completed.
The Williams Road location, which was the headquarters for the Curves fitness chain and later a marketing headquarters owned by the Heavin family, is intended to give residents a more accessible place to conduct county business and allow multiple county departments to operate from the same site.
Garza said the investment was made with both current public needs and future growth in mind. With additional space on the property, the county can expand services at the site as San Benito and surrounding communities continue to develop.
The new annex is a long-term county investment in the San Benito area, combining existing public services with space for future county needs.