FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Reaffirming the Motor Vehicle Commission’s (MVC) commitment to bringing more effective service to New Jersey’s nearly 6 million licensed motorists, Chief Administrator Sharon A. Harrington, joined by state and local officials on Jan. 27, officially opened a new, modernizedmotor vehicle agency in Freehold Township. The facility is the first MVC Model Agency to be built from the ground up on state-owned land.
“This is the future of motor vehicle services in New Jersey,” Harrington said. “Following years of careful planning and a wise investment in infrastructure, I am pleased to unveil one of the MVC’s greatest customer service achievements – an agency built to the exact specifications that will allow staff to serve the public in the most efficient manner possible.”
The new agency, at 811 Okerson Road, replaces the smaller motor vehicle agency facility in the Poet’s Square shopping center on Thoreau Drive in Freehold Township.
According to a press release, relocation of the motor vehicle agency provides one-stop shopping for MVC customers with the new facility located adjacent to the Freehold Township motor vehicle inspection station. Additional motor vehicle services, such as those offered at regional service centers and the Trenton office complex, may also be introduced at the new agency in 2009.
The new agency features 15 customer service windows, three photo stations, 10 driver testing terminals, two training rooms and expanded customer waiting areas and parking. In addition, the new building has many green components aimed at reducing energy costs for the state, such as recycled rubber flooring, a window wall and skylight for more natural light, white roofing to reflect heat and automatic sensors on light and bathroom fixtures, according to the press release.
The design of the new facility was created by architects from STV Incorporated and built by Gingerelli Brothers Construction Company. The STV design will be used for MVC Model Agency buildings to be constructed in the future. Presently in the works is a new facility in Flemington with plans in 2009 for additional sites in Randolph and South Brunswick. All will be located next to a motor vehicle inspection station.
Funding for renovations and construction of a number of MVC Model Agency facilities was established through a bond included in the Motor Vehicle Security and Customer Service Act of 2003. The dedicated funds continue to be used to enhance existing facilities and to build new MVC Model Agency locations to better serve New Jersey residents, according to the MVC.
The state will gain a savings of nearly $120,000 annually due to the elimination of the previously leased Poet’s Square site.