Up to $31.2 million.

That’s how much money cash-strapped Richmond could soon gain from the state.

The money would provide reimbursement for costs related to the construction of the new $134.6 million Richmond Justice Center, or city jail, in Shockoe Bottom.

The money has been sitting in state coffers for more than a year and remains in the new state budget, according to Dan Timberlake, director of the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed the General Assembly-approved budget on March 26.

The state money could be a huge boost for projects for which the city has said it doesn’t have enough money, including the renovation of many schools buildings.

According to Christopher L. Beschler, the city’s interim chief administrative officer, the state money would “be used as a funding source for general capital improvement projects.” While he offered no further specifics, his words appears to mean the state money would not just be used to repay the debt the city has run up on the jail.

The next step for Richmond to get the money is to complete and submit documents to the state Department of Corrections providing proof of completed work and payment for the work.

“The city has started, but not completed all of the documentation to receive the reimbursement,” Mr. Beschler stated. “There is a team working on the task.”

The new jail opened in July 2014 as the old deteriorated jail was being demolished.

Richmond has been eligible to received state reimbursement of up to 25 percent of the construction expenses that meet state requirements. The state total for reimbursement could amount to $31,238,755.

Mr. Beschler told the Free Press that the state Board of Corrections had approved the request from the city for state reimbursement for costs for building the new 1,140-bed jail and for tearing down the old jail.

A parking lot now covers the site of the old jail.

Along with cells and programs for inmates, the new jail also houses the city’s lockup, the magistrates’ office and the police warrant services office.

The former women’s annex is now a custody center for people serving weekend time and for those reporting to perform court-mandated community service.