What if going to the DMV was the highlight of your day? Sound far fetched?
It might not be with new Central Service Center planned for Woodbury.
Currently located on Radio Drive in a building designed for library purposes, a new facility for local DMV services is currently under construction at 1261 Woodlane Drive in Woodbury, guided by the follow four key objectives:
• Create a strong sense of place for users in a suburban, car-centric environment.
• Enhance the local perception and broader impression of Washington County.
• Strengthen the connection to nature and surrounding natural spaces.
• Provide a welcoming and equitable environment for offering efficient services in a new delivery model.
Designed by award winning Twin Cities firm Alliiance and located along the Gold Line, the goal of the new 30,000 square foot facility designed to be visible from the freeway will be to create a space that people are excited to visit, with services provided including property records and taxpayer services, public health and environment services, community corrections, community services such as private spaces for meetings or virtual connections with customers and a career lab, supported by community services to assist with workforce development.
The new Central Service Center will be modern, flexible, and filled with natural light. It will also seek to introduce innovative ways to deliver services in a welcoming, equitable, sustainable, and comfortable environment.
Designed to support the delivery of outstanding public-facing services with both vehicle and pedestrian access, key features of the new facility with building cost of $18.75 million and total project cost of $29 million will include hybrid services, improved connectivity with access to area mass transit, and the flexibility to adapt based on community needs. The new Central Service Center will also feature a high-efficiency customer service model and seeks to be a space that people want to visit and work in, providing a place for visitors to have a dignified experience while fulfilling civic duties.
Also with plans meanwhile, the new building aims to serve both residents and county employees through thoughtful design.
Residents will benefit from easy navigation of public services, aided by clear wayfinding and supporting technology. The space will provide comfortable seating for people waiting for services, offering various options for working, connecting via technology, or waiting contentedly. With hybrid and high-efficiency customer service models, this new center will also allow county employees to work from the location between appointments and collaborate with colleagues in-person.
The new Center will also feature administrative workstations, meeting rooms, and reservable huddle rooms for staff use.
As for architectural design materials, Washington County's connection to nature is at the heart. The building will use high-quality natural materials that align with the region's identity, such as wood, steel, and masonry. The architecture draws inspiration from nature, with warm hues and textures that create a calming atmosphere.
A key material choice is mass timber, which was selected early in the design process for its aesthetic and sustainability benefits. The use of mass timber has many benefits, including the following:
• Adds a natural and calming ambiance to the space, enhancing the visitor experience,
• Supports sustainability by offering a low-carbon alternative to traditional building materials, and
• Ties back to Washington County's history of milling along the St. Croix River.
Additional materials like wood, brick, and ample daylight contribute to a welcoming, uplifting environment for both employees and visitors. The combination of these materials helps transition the space from an institutional feel to one that promotes relaxation and comfort.
The building will also feature solar panels on the roof to generate energy, meeting an estimated percentage of the total energy needs.
The building's overall design is meant to demonstrate the county’s commitment to good stewardship of taxpayer dollars, with energy efficiency, durable materials and ease of maintenance. Restrooms will be single-user and non-gendered, with universal changing stations, family restrooms, and quiet personal spaces like meditation rooms.
Improving accessibility and allowing residents to access public services without a car, the new Washington County Service Center is currently under construction and due to open in July 2025.