Vincennes just got a brand new BMV. The state-of-the-art facility is located at 2031 Hart Street. The 3,000 square-foot office increases the number of customer service terminal from six to nine.

It also provides a public restroom, which was not available at the former branch. In 2006, more than 62,000 customer transactions were conducted at the Vincennes branch.

“A significant focus on better customer service in branches, along with the introduction of service at non-branch sites, has paid off. Said, Ron Stiver -BMV Commissioner and now you can check the wait time before you go at www,mybmv.in.gov

 

Knox County Chamber of Commerce President Marc McNeece says a pending move to the former Kramac Printing building at 424 Vigo St. will be good for his organization.

“This is pretty positive,” said McNeece. “There will be more traffic and higher visibility for us.”

Vigo Street also happens to be Old U.S. 50, a main thoroughfare into and out of the city.

The chamber along with the Vincennes/Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Knox County Development Corp., the Northwest Territory Art Guild and Historic and Antiquarian Society have for some years been housed in the city-owned Van Eaton Building, 102 N. Third St.

While securely downtown, a big advantage to those organizations, the building was also hard to find, a disadvantage to visitors looking for information.

“There are real advantages to being in this location,” McNeece said of the Van Eaton Building. “But I think the disadvantages to being here are much greater.”

KCDC President Gary Gentry agreed that a move would be good.

“An empty building is being put to use and another is getting a new use, that's what we're all about,” he said.

But a move to Vigo Street isn't a done deal. Indeed, rumors are rife that KCDC is head to Vincennes University, possibly into the Hack & Simon building on North Third Street.

The Kramac building would need renovation, and it's not clear who would pay for those, nor is it clear how much the city would charge for rent.

McNeece thinks those issues can be worked out.

“We look forward to sitting down and discussing our needs for the space,” he said.

If they don't, council member Shirley Rose is certain the city will find use for the building, either by renting it or moving other city departments there.

“There's a lot that could be done there,” she said.