Plan to Close Post Office Draws Some Complaints

A recent City Council proposal to create a cultural center in a historic post office building has prompted an outcry from some residents who oppose plans to move their mailboxes to another facility, officials said Tuesday.

Ellen Stern Harris, president of the Council for Planning and Conservation, said she notified all 3,300 mailbox-holders at the post office on Crescent Drive that the council and Postal Service plan to move their boxes to the newer branch at Maple Drive and 3rd Street, a plan she said would create parking problems at the new branch and keep box-holders from shopping and dining at businesses near the Crescent Station.

Councilwoman Vicki Reynolds said the Postal Service made the decision to consolidate its services at Maple Drive, and that the council would complete a marketing survey before making any decisions about future use of the building.