Centrally located in Los Angeles' Civic core, the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters Facility is envisioned as the City's next landmark building, and as the next great civic space within a renewed downtown. Occupying an entire City block, the new facility represents the missing piece between the historic LA Times building, City Hall, Saint Vibiana's Cathedral, and the City's newest addition, the CalTrans Headquarters.

Working closely with the architect and the Bureau of Engineering, Meléndrez was integral in developing a site plan, which deliberately has two faces. On the north side along First Street, a large civic plaza extends from the building's main entrance to the street, providing an important connection to the south lawn of City Hall. The street itself becomes a democratic space for gatherings, protests and celebration. Primarily an open square, the plaza is articulated with cascading steps, internally illuminated stone seat walls and a simple linear water element which also discretely provide the layers of necessary perimeter security. Along the southern exposure, the required 75-foot setback was expanded to 130 feet to create a one-acre community park, which responds to the growing residential community that exists South of Second Street. The park, which is organized around a rectangular Great Lawn, incorporates a range of seating elements, grade change through a series of terraces, game tables, and a large café space.

Despite the rigorous security measures required to protect this facility and its employees, the new Police Headquarters is to be an integral part of the community, providing not only a critical public service, but serving as much needed public open space - a goal which was clearly identified through a series of community meetings and workshops. In contrast to many civic facilities, the new Police Headquarters Facility is to be a shared space of the people; seeking to draw people in, and in turn, be embraced as a vital part of Downtown Los Angeles' community.