VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Four years, five months, and one day.
That's how long it has been since someone opened fire inside Building 2 at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. Twelve people lost their lives that day, and many more were impacted by the traumas they witnessed.
Ever since that fateful day in 2019, Building 2 has remained empty. But not for much longer.
At one point the City of Virginia Beach discussed demolishing Building 2. Ultimately, they decided to renovate it and make it the police headquarters. One big goal was to make sure it looked nothing like it had before May 31, 2019.
The city spent millions of dollars to gut the building and give it a complete transformation.
"This space has been completely redesigned," said Captain William Zelms with the Virginia Beach Police Department.
There's still plenty of unboxing and unpacking on the second floor, where the Detective Bureau will be located. A brand new real-time crime center is also being set up on the third floor.
The newly renovated building comes with new technology and a new secure area for questioning suspects. Police Chief Paul Neudigate and his team start moving in next month.
"We have to acknowledge what happened here. We have to acknowledge the tragedy that occurred in this building and we can never forget," Neudigate said.
Building 2 was home to Public Works and Public Utilities. Those departments will now work from different buildings.
The city estimates some 250 May 31st survivors and first responders will soon be back at the municipal center, proving that even if they’re moving in they may never move on.
There was a massive police response back on May 31, 2019. Police estimate some 20 to 30% of their entire force was at this building at one point or another, either responding to the shooting or investigating its aftermath.
Many of them are now about to make this building their permanent office. We’re told there will be resources available to them and that after four and a half years, these doors will reopen for business in early December.