UTICA, NY – The City of Utica Police Department opened its new fleet maintenance facility last month, taking approximately seven months to construct. The building project is part of an overall effort by the city of Utica to improve its “Gateway District,” an area of the western portion of the city that is first seen by people as they enter the downtown area. The fleet maintenance facility is a step in creating a public safety complex that includes the Utica Police Headquarters that was built in 1927 and the Utica City Court Facility that was constructed in 1997. The Utica Police fleet maintenance facility is home to three fleet maintenance technicians who are charged with the upkeep of 94 vehicles of various types that make up the police fleet. All work related to vehicles with the exception of alignments, warranty work, and framework is done in this facility. The new building holds seven service bays, three lifts, a separate bay for washing police vehicles, and a bay for storage of motorcycles, speed trailers and police bicycles. A loft area allows for storage of larger items. There are also two bays segregated from the rest of the facility to process vehicles that are impounded by the department during the course of an investigation. The department also does New York State Inspections for all city fleet vehicles under 18,000 lbs. and is currently awaiting the installation of a downdraft spray booth and paint mixing room for body work. At the grand opening ceremony, a symbolic tow chain was cut with a torch by current Chief of Police C.Allen Pylman and retired Chief Benny D. Rotundo signifying the opening of the new facility.