The Missouri National Guard broke ground last week for a new joint armed-forces building at Jefferson Barracks.

The Missouri Air and Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve will operate together in this new facility, according to a news release.

The $24.8 million center will include 140,000 square feet of new training space; a three-story, 133,000-square-foot administration building; and a single-story, 7,500-square-foot maintenance building.

The main building will feature administrative space, an assembly hall, classrooms, secure storage equipment and supplies and a full-service kitchen for foodservice operations.

The new complex will include eight acres of lighted parking areas for military and personal vehicles.

The project is scheduled for completion in February 2010.