ORLANDO, Fla. — Work on Orlando's new state-of-the-art police headquarters officially got underway Friday morning.
Channel 9's Jeff Deal was at the old Lynx building on Orange Blossom Trail, where the ceremony kicked off.
The new facility is being designed not only to enhance downtown safety but to also spur development. Once the building is torn down and the new one is built, city officials think it will spur growth in the area.
Officials think it will be safer having the police department and the newly renovated Citrus Bowl nearby. They think it will be more attractive for businesses.
"It's exciting as we start site development for the new Orlando Police Department headquarters," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
But some residents are still skeptical of the building and the positive impact it could have.
"All you're going to do when you bring in a new police station is move crime from one block to another block," said business owner Colin Henderson.
Others, however, believe someday Orlando will see an entire corridor of commercial development from the Citrus Bowl into downtown.
"I strongly believe it's going to be 1,000 times better. I don't see a negative side to it," said business owner Jose Costa.
On Friday, Dyer got behind the controls of some heavy equipment to begin knocking down the old Lynx building at the intersection of OBT and South Street.
Crews will spend a few months tearing it down and preparing the site for construction, which will begin in April and should be wrapped up by summer 2016.
The new OPD headquarters will cost $43 million, but the city said it will be more efficient than the old building, with the latest technology, and better access for officers and the public.
"As the community has changed, so (have) the needs of a police headquarters," said Chief John Mina.
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