DOTHAN: It was year 2022 in the Dothan Civic Center then Dothan City Manager Kevin Cowper anveiled the plan LOVE DOTHAN. Included in the plan were visions of the City Center Project.
Fast forward to June 10, 2025 ( TODAY ) and the ribbon cutting of one of the first major projects, Dothan Opera House. The plans from RDG and the construction by Brasfield and Goree. The Assistant Superintendent was a product of Dothan Alabama, Ben Mathews, son of Eben and Shayne Mathews.
Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba gave the history this morning. The Opera House was a vision of then Dothan Mayor Buck Baker and the Dothan City Commission in 1913. There was a vision and need for municipal offices and auditorim. The construction began in 1914 and completed in 1915. The original contruction price was $ 44,000.00.
The Roy Driggers Municipal Building – Dothan Civic Center – was constructed in 1974. The Dothan Municipal Offices were then moved from the Opera House to the DOthan Civic Center. That was some 51 years ago.
In 1915 the population of Dothan Alabama was around 7,000. At the opening of Dothan Opera House in 1915, it is estimated that 1,000 people were on hand.
Today Dothan City Manager Randy Morris, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, members of the Dothan City Commission, the local legislative delegation, Troy Fountian of Wiregrass Foundation, and others cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the newly renovated Dothan Opera House.
Following the ribbon cutting all were invited inside for a show case of the upcoming events scheduled for 2025. Some great and exciting entertainment lined up. There is new and modern sound and lighting system with many capabilities for entertainment.
Check out the future events which Clay Dempsey describes in the video.
