A new headquarters opened Wednesday for the Orlando Police Department.

New Orlando Police Department headquarters opens

96,000-square-foot headquarters cost about $50 million

Old building to make way for $200M project next to Amway Center

RELATED: Planning board approves new Orlando police headquarters (October 2014) Police headquarters could become Orlando Magic building (February 2013)





The new location is about a mile away from the former police station on South Hughey Avenue in downtown Orlando, which was built in 1972. The new spot is at West South Street and Orange Blossom Trail.

City leaders said the goal of the new location is to help make police more accessible to the community they serve, especially in areas such as Parramore, which is nearby.

To accomplish that, the new police facility has an outdoor public plaza and a community room inside for public events.

"I'll be able to walk out my back door and talk to our residents, and we're hoping they'll do the same," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said at the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2015.

Welcome to the new Orlando Police Department Headquarters!

#YourOPD pic.twitter.com/dZphxe0slh — Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) March 22, 2017

The 96,000-square-foot facility cost about $50 million. It is equipped with new crime-fighting technology and tools.

"It's quite a chance ... this is just mind-boggling," said Alfreda Dykes Johnson, who is a lifelong Parramore resident. "It's going to be an influence in our community and strengthen us as a community."

The old Orlando Police Department will be torn down. In its place will be a more than $200 million project from the Orlando Magic. The entertainment complex, located right next to the Amway Center, will have dining, hotel and other offerings.

The Orlando Magic said the complex is still in the design process, and the team did not say when construction on the project will begin.

An open house for the community will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15.

