[Archived] Multi-Agency Permit Center Celebrates Grand Opening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2009    

Multi-Agency Permit Center Celebrates Grand Opening
City of Alexandria Opens Joint Office for Permits and Business Licenses 

On March 5, the Alexandria Fire Department’s Building and Fire Code Administration (BFCA) welcomed City officials, employees, residents, and business leaders to the grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony of its new Multi-Agency Permit Center, located on the fourth floor of City Hall. Mayor William D. Euille, Vice Mayor Redella S. “Del” Pepper, Councilman Paul Smedberg, Councilman Justin Wilson, and City Manager James K. Hartmann joined Fire Chief Adam Thiel and John Catlett, Director of Building and Fire Code Administration, in cutting the ribbon for the new center. The grand opening celebration marked the culmination of 16 months of planning by the Multi-Department Permit Center Committee, chaired by BFCA Deputy Director Jannine Pannell and Customer Services Manager Frank Ward.

The idea for the Multi-Agency Permit Center was brought forward by the City Council's Economic Sustainability Work Group in 2007. The Multi-Agency Permit Center was established to improve customer service to Alexandria’s residents and business owners by offering one central location for same-day processing, plan review, and issuance of required City permits and licenses. City departments represented at the center include the Fire Department’s Building and Fire Code Administration, Department of Planning and Zoning, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), and the Department of Finance.

The Permit Center provides a variety of services. Staff from BFCA, Planning and Zoning, and T&ES review construction and trade plans for compliance with the Uniform State Building Code, the City’s Zoning Ordinance and other codes. Many building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, signage and outdoor dining permits can be processed, reviewed and issued in one day. For the convenience of City businesses, the Permit Center also handles new business license applications and contractor renewals. Additionally, the Permit Center processes Fire Prevention and Fire Protection System permits, elevator permits and certificates, stocking permits, modification requests, vacant building registrations and Certificates of Occupancy.

“The Multi-Agency Permit Center is a great example of the collaborative effort among several City departments working together to deliver what our citizens and businesses have desired and deserve—quality customer service combined with code compliance and safety,” said Fire Chief Adam Thiel. 

For more information on Alexandria’s Multi-Agency Permit Center, call 703.838.4360 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/fire/code