As one who believes the proposed DMV location in southwest Bend is fraught with issues, I can’t help but express my complete and utter amazement that the DMV is about to embark on a path that has proved so unsuccessful in the past. Has the department learned nothing from the situation in Corvallis that occurred earlier this year? Note the following press release dated April 8, found on the Oregon DMV website:

“DMV will move its Corvallis field office in late April to its new permanent location at 870 NE Circle Blvd.”

The 4,950-square-foot building is located closer to downtown, Oregon State University and other businesses, and it’s on the local bus line.

“The community had asked us over the years if we could move closer into town,” DMV Field Services Manager Stephanie Miles said. “The new office’s location on the bus line in particular will help meet the needs of residents who cannot drive but need to do business at DMV.”

It would appear a different set of rules applies to the site-selection process here in Bend. Why should accessibility not be a factor in our city as well? If a lack of public transit forces the DMV to move to yet another location in the future, it will ultimately result in the spending of more taxpayer money down the road — not to mention a legal and public relations nightmare for the state. The cost of breaking a lease now will surely be less than having to secure and build out another site in a few years. Hopefully, ODOT and the DMV will learn from past mistakes and put an end to this misguided decision before it’s too late.

Maria Simonton

Bend