It was unclear why the landlord chose not to renew its state agency tenant.
SOUTH PLAINFIELD -- The local motor vehicle location that made state news last year when the governor dropped in to help a frustrated teen replace a learner's permit will soon close.
The South Plainfield location will shut down May 13 after the landlord at the Golden Acres Shopping Center on Oak Tree Road decided not to renew the agency's lease.
It was unclear why the landlord chose not to renew its state agency tenant. The landlord could not be reached for comment Friday morning.
The next nearest location in Edison is slated for "significant" renovations, MVC spokeswoman Marin Bellack told NJ101.5, who suggested drivers use the Somerville, Flemington and South Brunswick locations.
The news of the closure this week was not well received by state legislators who said they were "outraged" and "disappointed."
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"I am outraged at the news of the closing of South Plainfield's motor vehicle agency. The closing will exacerbate resources at the Edison agency site and leave Middlesex County residents facing even greater delays in services," state Sen. Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) said in a statement to MyCentralJersey.
Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin (D-Middlesex) criticized the move by Christie's administration.
"It was less than a year ago that the Governor visited this facility promising to improve customer service for the residents of our state," Pinkin said in a statement. "Rather than making the changes, his administration has decided to close it and not to help to find a new location convenient for those most affected by this closure."
The Middlesex County location got the attention of Chris Christie a year ago when a 17-year-old's mother called into his monthly radio show and told the governor of her fruitless four-month quest to renew her son's learner's permit.
Stacey Pilato, who visited numerous MVC locations, said the South Plainfield MVC had pushed her to a breaking point after staffers "lied" to her, saying there was nothing more they could do to replace the permit damaged in the wash.
Christie arrived at the South Plainfield motor vehicle location the next day flanked by the teen and his mother, with the press in tow, and the teen got his permit within 10 minutes.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.