Great Bend ? A long-awaited renovation to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation office in Great Bend has officially begun.

The renovation, which the Legislature appropriated more than $1 million for in its last omnibus bill, will convert second-floor storage space into about 4,300 square feet of lab space – nearly doubling the amount currently available.

“It is important that we have the best technology to keep Kansans safe,” said Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, who cut a “crime scene” tape to begin the project Wednesday. “We already have the best people.”

Most of the lab will be dedicated to DNA services, which Kline called “a tool for justice” that can be used to prosecute or clear suspects.

KBI Director Larry Welch said the new lab space will free up more space for investigations, narcotics agents and Kansas Highway Patrol officers, who also use the building.

Funding for the project originally was approved by former Gov. Bill Graves, but it was cut when the state ran into difficult financial times and Graves asked department heads to slash budgets.

Additional lab space was a recommendation from the Department of Justice, and Welch said the renovation provides room to expand without having to acquire new property.

“Right now it doesn’t look like much,” Welch said. “Hopefully in a year it will look like the nationally accredited forensic service center that it is.”