The California Department of General Services on Monday said it had sold a vacant 1.9-acre parcel in the Los Angeles Civic Center district for park development.

The state agency said that the land, at First Street and Broadway next to the county’s new Grand Park, was sold for about $7.5 million. The Los Angeles City Board of Recreation and Parks plans to turn the property into a park.

“This property has sat idle for far too long, needlessly costing taxpayers for maintenance and security,” Fred Klass, General Services director, said in a statement. “This sale raises revenue needed to eliminate state debt, and provides the City of Los Angeles park space to be enjoyed for generations.”

The parcel had been home to a 13-story state building that was badly damaged in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake and later demolished. It has recently been used as a parking lot.