DMV News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Richmond Central DMV Office Repairs May Take 2 or 3 Weeks
Safety of Customers, Employees First Priority
RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Richmond Central Customer Service Center (CSC) at 2300 West Broad Street will remain closed for repairs for approximately two to three weeks. Customers may log on to www.dmvNOW.com for updates.
A heating pipe valve burst on the second floor of the DMV headquarters building last Monday, and an estimated 5,000 gallons of water -- 125 times an average home water tank or enough to fill a 15-foot, round above-ground swimming pool -- flooded the CSC, some second floor office space, and the basement mail room.
"Our number one priority is to ensure our work environment is safe for customers and our employees," said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. "While we are working quickly to reopen as soon as possible, we want to make sure everything that needs to be done is done thoroughly and properly."
DMV maintenance staff is taking an inventory to ensure other pipe valves are secure and staff will replace any that pose further risk. "In an aging building, we continuously monitor the infrastructure and take the necessary steps to maintain it," Holcomb said. Humidity readings in the affected areas were 75 percent on Monday after the incident.
Today, readings are down to 20 percent. After replacing affected carpeting and ceiling tiles, an industry standard humidity reading of below 10 percent should be achieved by next week. In addition, chemical treatments were applied to the walls and ceilings to prevent mold or mildew.
Employees who normally help customers at the closed Richmond CSC are working at nearby DMV offices to staff additional service windows. All other services provided at the DMV headquarters building, including motor carrier services, are still available.
Customers may continue to conduct business through DMV's website, DMV's automated telephone service at 1-888-337-4782 or the mail. DMV's mail services are fully operational. Richmond-area customers who need to complete DMV transactions in person may visit the Chesterfield DMV office at 610 Johnston Willis Drive, the West Henrico DMV office at 9237 Quioccasin Road, the East Henrico DMV office at 5517 South Laburnum Avenue or the North Henrico DMV at 9015 Brook Road in Glen Allen. For in-person transactions such as license plates, decals or titles, customers may visit nearby DMV Select offices; locations and hours may be found online. Driver's license transactions cannot be processed at DMV Selects.
