The city of Little Rock celebrated the opening of the Little Rock Police Department’s massive, new 12th Street substation today. It’s 44,000 square feet and will house the LRPD’s major crimes division and patrol and detectives’ offices.

“This is one of the most significant investments our city has made in recent years,” said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola in a news release. “Interstate 630 has long separated our city. The presence of this station on 12th Street shows our commitment to ensure that the safety of our citizens is of utmost importance no matter where they live.”

Construction ran $12.5 million and was mostly paid for through the 3/8-cent capital sales tax ($10 million). The rest came from the city’s special projects fund. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission also kicked in $283,000 for surrounding streetscape design as part of plan to improve 12th Street infrastructure.

According to a fact sheet from the city, the substation is the largest building the city has built in “many decades” and the first LEED Silver Certified energy-efficient structure.