Brooklyn Center Approves Plans for New State-Run Vehicle Inspections Site

A former tire and auto service shop in Brooklyn Center will become a place for the state of Minnesota to conduct vehicle inspections.

Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division of the state’s Department of Public Safety will take over the site of Big O Tires, located at 5501 Xerxes Avenue North. The business closed last fall.

The state signed a 10-year lease with the property owner, identified at Totem Foods, Inc.

Officials with DVS say expanding inspections is a way to help auto dealers make sure previously totaled vehicles have been fully repaired.

“We have a large number of people in the underserved and underprivileged community who are moving into to this [dealership] space, particularly in those areas where they are working on these repairable vehicles,” said Greg Loper, vehicle services program director, speaking at the Feb. 26 Brooklyn Center City Council meeting. “One of the things we take very seriously is our responsibility to educate these people to make sure they are able to be successful as auto dealers.”

Loper said inspections include making sure vehicles are repaired with proper parts.

No auto repairs will be done at the site. In addition, the site would not be used to inspect semi trucks or RVs.

City documents mentioned that approximately 80 percent of vehicles inspected at state sites come from auto dealers.

The planned site for a state vehicle inspections facility.

The Brooklyn Center City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit to allow the new facility.

“I think this is a really good use of that particular property,” said Brooklyn Center City Council member Dan Jerjak.

Loper said the state is looking to hire inspectors, who do not have to be a licensed mechanic, but possess mechanical experience.

Brooklyn Center