Renovations to the Department of Motor Vehicles Select office inside the Patrick County Administration Building have been completed, making the space safer and more efficient for employees and customers.
The work, which began earlier this year, was prompted in part by a walkthrough with a fire marshal last year. Installing fire shutters on the DMV windows was identified as one of the key items that needed attention to bring the office into compliance with the Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office.
In addition to improving the building’s safety, DMV Select Manager Diana Belcher said the shutters make it easier for employees to open the service windows.
“We no longer have to move our whole office, computer, everything that’s on the desk” to close the window, she said.
“Before, we had a swinging door that we opened up, so now we are able to just mash a button and it comes right up. It’s also tied into the fire security alarm system, so if there’s a fire it will automatically shut. So that’s a security feature as well,” she said.
The renovation also addressed an ergonomic issue with the old office setup, Belcher said. Employees had to climb onto a step stool to access desks that were positioned higher.
“So we were able to lower the desks and now we don’t have to climb in and out of our chairs, so it’s a lot easier and definitely more efficient,” she said.
DMV employee Penny Morrison said the changes also make it easier for employees to access tags, documentation and other materials needed to assist customers.
“We’re able to access it more efficiently now,” Morrison said.
The office space was expanded during the renovation by extending the suite’s wall.
“It’s an open concept. Where we did have a wall inside as well as a door inside, now it’s open,” Morrison said.
Belcher said the renovated space provides a more professional and comfortable environment for customers.
“Some place they can come to and not be so stressed like they are most of the time when they come to the DMV,” Belcher said with a chuckle.
The DMV’s second service window was also moved from the back of the suite, replacing a door on the right side, Belcher said.
“The second window was at the backside, but now it’s open and you got more space, so we don’t have to move every time” someone wants to enter the office, she said.
To make the space more comfortable and useful for customers, Morrison said Belcher had new seating installed and created a wall displaying license plate samples and an information center with forms customers can easily access.
During some of his past visits, Deputy Director of DMV Select Administration Barry Browning said he has seen the line at the office extend halfway down the hallway.
“This is a very busy office, and if you don’t know what form to get to do an address change, it’s up here” on the wall near both service windows, “so it’s more efficient. Because when you get up to the counter and the window they’re going to say, ‘well, you need a form.’ So it’s more efficient to have a lot of the forms they use out here,” Browning said, adding that multiple clipboards also are available outside the service windows for customers to use.
Browning said the improvements are a testament to Patrick County.
“The county is the one who wanted to renovate this and spent the money to do it to be in compliance with the fire code, but they also took advantage to open it up and make more space for DMV customers. So it’s a win for everybody, and it looks great,” Browning said.
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved $27,000 for the renovations during its November meeting.
