ALBANY - The state Department of Motor Vehicles office on South Pearl Street plans to relocate to Central Avenue early next year, but discrepancies exist on what will happen come Oct. 31 when the lease is up on its Historic Pastures location.

The state Office of General Services says DMV will be moved to 855 Central Ave. The state will lease and convert existing space at the Central Avenue property, near the Everett Road exit off Interstate 90 in Albany, for the new space, officials said.

"The new centrally located office will be easy to access via public transportation and will also provide plenty of parking," OGS officials said in an emailed statement.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy confirmed Wednesday that the state DMV approached the county about a year ago looking to leave the South Pearl Street location, but earlier this year requested an extension through Oct. 31.

Mary Rozak, county spokesperson, said the state requested another extension, but the county declined due to the need to repurpose the building for new use.

McCoy said his office is looking for county agencies that could move into the building at 224-260 S. Pearl St., which the county owns.

Sheriff Craig Apple has expressed concern about relocating 911 dispatch to the county nursing home, and could be seeking another spot for the center. Meanwhile, talks have swirled for some time about relocating county probation from its location across from the Times Union Center. Then there's the county Board of Elections office, which the county rents on North Russell Road in Albany. The county pays over $350,000 annually for the space. All could be candidates for the South Pearl Street site.

While McCoy contends the DMV office's last day on South Pearl Street will be Oct. 31., OGS says it plans to stay there until the new Central Avenue location is ready, which is expected to be in the beginning of 2019.

OGS officials wouldn't say why they've decided to leave the Historic Pastures neighborhood, nor would they comment on the conflicting dates for the relocation.

Over the last few years, neighborhood residents have expressed concern about people loitering — drinking alcohol and engaging in illegal activities — near planters by the DMV's South Pearl Street site, which is located between Green and South Ferry streets and across from the Capital City Rescue Mission. The expansive parking lot in front of DMV is a spot for people to gather, residents have said.

Area residents are already facing the closure of the Rite Aid pharmacy a few blocks away, also on South Pearl Street. The corporation was recently bought by Walgreens, which in turn has begun closing many of the Rite Aid stores its acquired.

South End residents have been outspoken about the pending Sept. 19 closure of the store at 310 S. Pearl St., which is situated in a neighborhood with few establishments where residents can buy basic food and household items.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said the relocation, which has been talked about for some time, could open up opportunities for growth in the neighborhood.

"For many years, people in the South End have talked about what the potential would be for that site if the DMV wasn't there," she said. "There was actually an overlay zone (within the citywide rezone) that sort of envisioned some different uses that would bring more jobs and businesses to the South End."

What the future holds for the county-owned site is still unknown, but local officials plan to collaborate on whatever is next.

"We'll continue in that spirit to work with the county executive on any further use that they envision for that location," Sheehan said.