After nearly three years without an official public works facility, leaders from all levels of government dedicated a new facility in Irondequoit Friday afternoon.

"I really think this facility will open up a new chapter for our town,” said Irondequoit Town Supervisor Dave Seeley. “We’re going to reimagine the former site behind town hall that will enhance the amenities we provide for our residents."

A Christmas Eve fire in 2016 destroyed 60 percent of the old DPW building and 17 vehicles.

Government leaders believe that fire paved the way for the new 74,000 square foot facility off of East Ridge Road.

“This facility will allow our department to become more efficient as a whole and more effective,” said Irondequoit DPW Commissioner Bob Kiley.

The town spent the last 34 months working with the state to buy land for the current site, securing funds with the help of state Senator Rich Funke and Congressman Joe Morelle and bringing the building to life.

"The town pushed forward and solved the problem, the state had some land, Irondequoit needed it, the town bought it and doubled the size of the old facility, and when the supervisor said we might need some help paying for it, we were certainly happy,” Funke said.

“This is better for the men and women who run the DPW department and work here every day,” Morelle said. “It’s just going to allow us to respond to crisis in so many ways and I think it’s truly exciting."

Seeley said the town is much stronger today than it was in December 2016, and that's thanks to the fire.

"Just like other towns have library envy, they all have DPW envy now because there isn’t a better facility in New York State,” Funke said.

The town will have an open house on Saturday October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents to visit the new facility.