Citizens of Dallas County are starting to see visual progress on the new law enforcement center, with the dirt work beginning at the site.

This week, the County Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Office will be holding a ceremonial groundbreaking event to unofficially kick off the construction. Sheriff Chad Leonard says they’ve scheduled the event for this Thursday at 10 a.m. at the site. “If anybody’s available and want to come out for that, they’re welcome to do that. It’ll be very brief, I guess. Never done one before, but I guess it’s like 10 or 15 minutes and done. But anybody’s welcome if they want to come out.”

Leonard realizes the gravity of the event, as it’s a big moment for the County to kick off work on the $22.9 million facility. He estimates that with the project’s current progress, it should be done within the next 20 months.