May 5, 2003
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety this week will begin the move to its new headquarters building, located at the CSC Office Complex in the Blythewood area. The street address is 10311 Wilson Boulevard, located just off I-77, Exit 24 (attached map). This move will not include the Criminal Justice Academy, which will remain at Broad River Road along with Highway Patrol training. Regional Highway Patrol, Division of Motor Vehicles and State Transport Police offices also will remain at their current locations.
The Budget and Control Board approved the purchase of the new facility, which will bring most DPS offices together for the first time since creation of the agency in 1993. The building is funded through a provision created by the Legislature (56-3-840) in which money from late registration fees is allocated to the DPS Building Fund. Currently, DPS is paying for the rental of 24 modular units at about $360,000 a year in addition to other rental properties for a total of about $1.3 million each year. DPS estimates that the move will save about $700,000 a year in operating expenses.
“This is an exciting development for us and one that is long overdue,” said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. “Finally, most of the DPS divisions will be together in one place, which will ultimately be reflected in the quality of service we are able to provide customers.”
SCDPS headquarters has been located at 5400 Broad River Road, primarily in modular units since 1993. DPS has about 2,600 employees and includes the state Criminal Justice Academy, Highway Patrol, Division of Motor Vehicles, State Transport Police, Office of Highway Safety, Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Protective Services.
The agency will occupy two large buildings at the CSC Office Complex. CSC will stay on in one building on the property. The move will take place in phases beginning this Wednesday (see the attachment for a schedule of office moves). The Division of Motor Vehicles will be the last offices to move. Customers should be advised that DMV Park Street Offices will not move until October because of the heavy summer customer load. The remainder of the move will be wrapped up in June.
All customers who visit the Broad River Road
offices (DPS Director’s Office, Highway Patrol headquarters, Office of Justice
Programs, all administrative support offices such as Financial Services, Office
of Executive Affairs, General Counsel, Human Resources etc.), Synergy Complex
(Bureau of Protective Services, State Transport Police, Highway Patrol Emergency
Management/ACE team offices, Office of Professional Responsibility, Outlet
Pointe Mall (Office of Highway Safety, DMV Project Phoenix, DMV Administrative
Hearings) should be advised that these offices will be moving on a staggered
basis and to visit the DPS web site before visiting any of these offices to
transact business.
Links: Blythewood Picture Map of the Area Move Schedule
EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
DPS will offer a media tour of the new facilities in early June when the majority of the move is completed. The Office of Executive Affairs, which handles all media relations, will be moving May 15. There may be a slight disruption in service by e-mail and phone during that week. Please keep these pager numbers on hand to use if you have difficulty reaching us by phone or e-mail during that week. Sid Gaulden, 800-712-7591. Sherri Iacobelli, 803-748-5730. Joan Beardsley, 803-698-4889. After May 15, all media interviews formerly conducted at Broad River Road headquarters will be conducted at Blythewood with the exception of training issues, either for Highway Patrol or the Criminal Justice Academy. These interviews will continue to be conducted at 5400 Broad River Road.
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