LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The new Las Vegas City Hall opened at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning after years of planning and construction, and a loan of $188.3 million to get the job done.
The total cost of the project came in at $146 million for the new state-of-the-art facility at 495 South Main St. downtown.
The new seven-story facility has seven departments inside and open for business, including the following: City Attorney, City Clerk, Auditor, Human Resources, Economic and Urban Development, Parks & Recreation and Contracts & Purchasing.
The rest of the city services will be offered at the new location on Monday, Feb. 27.
Critics said the project cost too much in the middle of a recession. Supporters and city leaders argued that it was important to go ahead with the project at a time when financing was cheap as were labor costs.
They added that the new City Hall is part of a greater plan to revitalize Downtown Las Vegas.
The building is LEEDS Certified energy efficient and city leaders said it will save the city around $400,000 annually.
It's equipped with solar panels throughout and solar trees right out front at the entrance.
"It's a remarkable undertaking and it's setting a standard for our community and our state," said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. "Any group that wants to build, they need to come here to take a look at this facility."
Online shoe retailer Zappos.com is ready to take over the old City Hall building at Las Vegas Boulevard and Stewart.
Zappos will be spending $40 million to renovate the old city hall location and plans to move in next year.
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