If you get towed, you have a ways to go: New city impound site in Northeast El Paso will simplify vehicle retrieval [El Paso Times, Texas]

Jan. 09--You might be in for a bit of a journey if your vehicle gets towed by the city.

The city of El Paso has opened a new Municipal Vehicle Storage Facility in the upper reaches of the Northeast. This is strictly for vehicles that have been towed at the request of the police.

The 10-acre site is about a 10-mile drive up Railroad Drive, or about a 30-mile round trip from Downtown El Paso.

Police officials, however, said it should end up being more convenient for the public.

Previously, the city had operated three to five storage areas throughout El Paso for impounded and towed vehicles, said Laura Garcia, director of administrative services for the El Paso Police Department.

"You don't have to go all over town trying to figure out where

your vehicle is," she said.

Assistant Police Chief Michelle Gardner called it a "one-stop shop" where your can pay your fees, find and retrieve your vehicle all at the same time. The center, at 11615 Railroad, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

"Everyone will know where their vehicle is going and where it's going to be," Gardner said. "It's actually more convenient."

The center opened on Dec. 27, and since then all vehicles towed upon the police's request have gone to the site. Vehicles towed before that date will remain at their current sites for two months -- until they are retrieved or are considered abandoned and eventually auctioned -- Garcia said.

The facility cost about $2.5 million to build and will eventually pay for

itself in about 2å to 3 years with revenue generated there, Gardner said. The center is being run on a contract basis by Rod Robertson Enterprises, which is headquartered in San Antonio and has an office in El Paso.

Contracting out the management for this around-the-clock center is more cost-effective than having the city run it itself, Garcia said.</p>

The new vehicle storage area has four separate sections, said Martin Aguilar, maintenance chief for the Police Department.

There is an auction viewing area for vehicles that have been seized or haven't been claimed and for surplus city vehicles, he said. Eventually, the facility will conduct online video auctions.

The center also has a regular impound lot for vehicles that have been involved in accidents or towed during arrests.

A holds lot is used for ongoing investigations when vehicles need to be processed for evidence.

A fourth area provides free city inspections for private vehicle sales. You can make sure that the vehicle you want to buy has not been stolen, has vehicle identification numbers that haven't been altered and a title that matches.

The facility was built along Railroad Drive because the city already owned about 30 acres there, Gardner said. Eventually, a municipal service center will be built on the remaining 20 acres to the south of the storage facility.

The city tried to find a spot that was more centrally located but couldn't find a location that was big enough or had the proper zoning, Gardner said.

It usually costs about $150 to retrieve your vehicle, plus $11.50 per day for storage.

You need to show proof of ownership, a government-issued identification and proof of insurance.

Even though the center opened on Dec. 27, construction workers from contractor Byers Construction were still working on the final touches last week. Bad weather in December caused some delays, Garcia said.

Learn more

-- The new Municipal Vehicle Storage Facility opened Dec. 27 at 11615 Railroad.

-- All vehicles towed at police request will now go there.

-- It will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can pay your fees, locate and retrieve your vehicle at the same location now.

-- Information: 534-8750.

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