Press Release

05/06/09

New Downtown Auto Bureau Opens in Rath Building

County Clerk Hochul Says Dream Finally Realized; Plan Saves $1 Million

Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul, joined by officials from County government and the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, cut the ribbon this morning to officially open the new Downtown Auto Bureau on the first floor of the Rath County Office Building. "It is the realization of a dream to be able to offer our residents a beautiful new facility right downtown, while saving upwards of a $1 million for our taxpayers. The state-of-the-art ticketing system, comfortable seating, television monitors and children's play area will help make the Auto Bureau experience a much more comfortable and pleasant one for everyone. We're changing the image of Auto Bureaus one office at a time, and visitors will be surprised," said Hochul.

The new facility will save Erie County taxpayers more than a million dollars in lease and other expenses by utilizing existing government office space, and returns the Auto Bureau to the business/government corridor, closer to the former site at 25 Delaware which housed the Bureau for decades before the Court Reorganization project displayed the Auto Bureau. The entrance to the Auto Bureau is on the Pearl St. side of the building, and the hours will be 8:30 am to 4:15 pm, Mondays through Fridays.

Hochul said that government cooperation was one of the keys in making the facility, which will offer improved customer service and comfort a reality. "I want to recognize the contributions of many and in particular, thank the Erie County Fiscal Stability Control Board for authorizing and funding the renovations, the County Executive and his Administration for managing the project and welcoming us into the Rath building, and the County Legislature for its role in helping us improve services for the citizens of Erie County," said Hochul.