Let me start by saying that both Fairview and Lucas are very well run. The respective mayors, city councils, planning and zoning committees, and everyone else are doing a great job protecting and preserving the integrity of these two small Texas towns. The size and appearance of the city offices are really meaningless, but it's worth pointing out because, in a way, they illustrate Fairview's reputation for having all the sizzle and Lucas's more laid-back country feel.
I'll get into shopping in these two towns later, but one thing I should point out here is that Fairview started out with the advantage of a nice, guaranteed. taxable income stream of $1 million per year from the developer of The Fairview Town Center (originally called The Village at Fairview). I'm unsure if that's still in place, but that revenue, along with higher-density housing and apartments in Fairview that Lucas doesn't have, can make buildings like that possible. I have to wonder how many towns in America this small own a building like that?
By the way, as happens so often, there were two camps when it came to Fairview spending money on a building like that. Many Fairview residents believed it wasn't necessary to have something that flashy, and a building similar to the Lucas City Hall would have been quite adequate. But it always impressed me that they built it, and it sure makes a statement.
The Lucas City Hall used to be in an old, depressing building, so when the new city hall was built, it gave Lucas citizens a little pride. The town also built a nice park with a large pavilion used for events like the monthly farmers market, and citizens can also rent it for a very low price. There's a walking track and a kids' playground. It's where the city keeps most of its equipment, too. It's a nice, functional city hall, but certainly not over the top.
