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Presently, less than one third of the 6,000-square-foot Post Office facility on East Sandford Boulevard is being utilized, officials said. Members of the USPS have proposed moving it to a smaller location in the city. There are also proposals to remain in a smaller space in the current building, with approximately 1,900-square-feet needed.
According to members at the Mount Vernon Post Office, they will seek public opinion and input from the community during an as-of-yet undecided city council meeting.
Following the public proposal, members of the community will have a 15-day grace period to present written comments to the USPS.
The USPS is facing significant financial problems around the country, due in large part to a 25 percent decline in first class mail as the world transitions to more modern, electronic means. The Mount Vernon Post Office is just a small part of the national business strategy to keep the company afloat.
In a cost-cutting measure last summer, the USPS had announced that it would end Saturday mail deliveries across the country, news that upset many Mount Vernon residents at the time. It is estimated that the USPS lost more than $1 billion already this year. The agency scrapped those plans in April after backlash.
“I think it’s important that we have access to real mail, but it’s obvious to see why the post office is struggling to keep up with computers,” Mount Vernon resident Sang Lee said on Sandford Boulevard. “If they need to get smaller to stay alive, then they should do that. What’s important is that we still have an office around us.”
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