Paris City Mayor Mihir Pankaj is addressing recent discussions about moving the Paris Eiffel Tower from its current location to downtown Paris.
“I want to take a moment to clear up a few things that have come up recently,” said Pankaj online. “A presentation was made to our City Council about the idea of moving the Eiffel Tower from the Civic Center to our downtown area. The idea was interesting, and the Council simply said we’d be open to learn more in the future, but I want to be clear — this was just a high-level conversation.”
District 6 City Council Member Alex Putnam and Paris Area Arts Alliance President Carolyn Patterson are behind the effort to move the tower and presented a proposal in Commissioners Court on Nov. 1, 2025.
However, Pankaj said there has been no discussion about funding, logistics, or if the possibility of moving the tower could actually happen.
“Nothing has been decided, and we are nowhere near making any kind of decision on this matter. Council’s focus has been on much more pressing issues — the challenges our first responders, public works department, and every department within our city are facing every day, and the rising costs across the board, with no new revenue to offset them. Even with these challenges, the city continues to work hard, and that resilience is what continues to motivate us.”
Believing that community involvement in making tough decisions is important, Pankaj said he understands the economy is “tough for everyone” and knows the choices faced as a city aren’t always easy.
“If we stand together, listen to one another, and stay focused on what matters most, I believe we can continue building a safe, strong, and thriving community — one that we can all be proud to call home. Like many of you, I want a community where families can grow, businesses can succeed, and everyone feels proud to be a part of something special. Getting there takes teamwork, communication, and patience — along with a lot of faith and hope in what we can accomplish together.”
Continuing to be transparent with the citizens of Paris, Pankaj said over the past year and a half, the city has been working to address issues with police, fire, and EMS.
“Over the past year and a half, we’ve listened closely to our police, Fire, and EMS teams share their challenges. Pay and staffing have been major concerns for years, and addressing those issues remains one of our top priorities. Last year, we were able to support our Police Department, and now we’re determined to find ways to support our Fire and EMS teams, along with all of our city staff that work hard to keep our community running.”
Paris City Council is also committed to facing issues “head-on” with the Wastewater Treatment Facility and completing the objective.
“We’re working hard to fix inherited challenges while also preparing for new ones that emerge in the future. It’s always tough, but we’re not giving up. Our city is seeking growing, and with that growth comes responsibility. Every day, we’re doing our best to fight for our citizens, support our city staff and services, and build a stronger, safer future for everyone — from our kids to our seniors, from our small businesses to our industries. Together, we can keep building a community we’re proud to call home.”
Pankaj said if anyone ever has questions, to contact his office and reach out.
“As always, if I can ever be of any help to anyone, please never hesitate to reach out! We are all in this together! It is an honor to serve on City Council and as Mayor of the great City of Paris, TX.”
To contact Mayor Pankaj or Paris City Council, click here
