Dear DMV,

By Matt Baumgartner

In a one week span, I had to go into both your South Pearl Street (Albany) location and your Schenectady location, and frankly, I don’t know which one is more depressing.

Who designed these spaces?  I mean, was there an actual architect involved?  Did this architect hate people, and comfort, and natural light?  Did the architect want everyone who walks into the DMV to say to themselves, “you know what, I’d rather walk.”

From start to finish, the DMV experience blows.  Actually, I take that back.  The parking lot isn’t that bad.   I mean, you can always find a spot.  And there is that sweet hot dog vendor outside the one on South Pearl Street.  That’s a nice touch.

How does this photo make you feel?

For starters, any OTB is nicer than a DMV.  At least at the OTB you can get a beer.  I wish I had brought a 12 pack of Utica Club into the DMV during my last visit.  Not for me to drink of course, but rather to give a beerski to each of the DMV tellers behind the windows.  I sincerely feel bad for them.  I’m sure they’re being paid a decent salary, but the conditions they work in totally suck.

People need natural light, especially when they’re sitting in the same spot for 8 hours a day.  It helps their energy level and would probably do something about that scowl on their faces.  Would it have killed the architect to put a sky light or two in the place?  And maybe a tree?  And how about some Delilah playing quietly throughout the room?    It’s terrible.  Just being in the DMV for 45 minutes was enough to make me consider heroin.  It’s so depressing.

The worst part for me is that the DMV is a state ran facility.  It’s our tax money and license fees directly paying for something we are required to participate in.   Apparently ZERO attention was paid towards the satisfaction of each “customer” who comes in the DMV?  Why is that?   We should feel like someone in the design process thought, “you now what, going to the DMV is a chore.  Let’s at least make it as enjoyable for our citizens and DMV employees as we can.  Let’s choose some nice paint colors that are soothing.  Maybe put up some local artwork.  Maybe some computers for people to check Friday Puppy while they wait.”  Do you know how easy and inexpensive those choices are to make?  Instead, someone decided, “No, I want cinder blocks painted gray.  And cafeteria floors.  Music?  Are you crazy?  And see those workers smiling of there?  Get rid of them. And while you’re at it, get rid of that sunlight.”

It’s unfortunate, because the DMV experience could be not so bad.  I realize it costs money to renovate these spaces, and the economy is in the pooper, but maybe in the future, when the economy is on the up and up, we can talk about the redesign of state agency buildings that require pubic access.  I think it would be a small change that would make a big, positive impact for workers at the Department of Motor Vehicles and us citizens that have to use it.

Thank you for listening and I’m sorry for speeding.

Sincerely,

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