PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Crews are making headway on the building that will replace the aging facility that has continued to hold City of Portland-owned vehicles after decades of deferred maintenance.
Workers have begun renovating a Swan Island property in which mechanics will conduct maintenance on more than 2,200 vehicles, also known as the CityFleet, Portland’s Bureau of Fleet and Facilities announced on Friday. Employees currently work on the vehicles at the Kerby Garage — which was first constructed in 1922.
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KOIN 6 previously reported that the city hadn’t conducted maintenance on the garage for about 50 years. Officials estimated upgrading the property could cost around $43 million, but ultimately decided allocating $57.3 million toward the relocation project was the “most cost effective alternative.”
The new Cutter Garage will accommodate both gas-powered and electric vehicles, and hold a couple hundred more. It is also estimated to cut down maintenance times, improve ventilation, expand service bay room and more, according to city officials.
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“Updating this City facility is about protecting our workforce, supporting our electric fleet transition, and improving the services Portlanders rely on every day,” Bureau of Fleet & Facilities Interim Director Mike Roy said in a statement. “This investment positions the City to maintain its fleet safely and efficiently for years to come.”…