DMV to start looking for new Aquidneck branch

Published Feb. 22, 2011 at 6:58 p.m.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Division of Motor Vehicles could find a home for its Aquidneck Island branch as early as next month, thanks to help from the State Properties Committee.

Committee members Tuesday waived a regulation requiring the DMV to seek proposals for a new branch from potential landlords.

Instead, the state will try to identify a site and approach the landlord directly, probably within a month, said John Ryan, with the state Department of Administration.

Previous efforts by the DMV to attract bidders have failed, in part because potential landlords have been unable to meet the DMV's demands for 85 parking spaces and a move-in date by early summer.

State Properties Commission Chairman Kevin Flynn asked if the Aquidneck Island branch could be merged with another one, but Ryan said no.

The DMV closed its Middletown branch on Feb. 11, after its lease expired.

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