By Pat Shaver
CORALVILLE — Officials in Coralville are hoping to keep an essential retail service in an area that is accessible to residents.
The Postal Service plans to move the customer retail post office services located at 420 10th Ave. into a postal-owned building at 2150 James St. in Coralville.
After initial plans were presented, the Postal Service held public meetings, but despite feedback from residents and city leaders, Postal Service officials said in a Sept. 25 letter to the city that the initial plans will proceed.
The city on Oct. 9 sent an appeal fighting the Postal Service’s decision.
City officials say the James Street building is located outside of the downtown area, does not include sidewalks or access to public transit, lacks adequate parking and is not in proximity of other public services.
Locating a retail and customer service facility at the James Street building does not comply with the city’s land use and zoning requirements for the area. The land is zoned for industrial uses.
“We think it needs to be in an area that the community has access to. I think there are several other places we could come up with,” said Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett.
In his letter appealing the decision, Mr. Fausett noted that available parking at the James Street building does not meet Coralville’s ordinance requirements for retail use. Since sidewalks are not available throughout the James Street area, it would not be appropriate for retail use, the letter stated.
The city says the service needs to stay in its current building, but there are several areas that it could move to that are accessible to residents, Mr. Fausett noted.
“I think the city could work with them to put it in a place that’s accessible. Hopefully they will work with us to come up with something that’s agreeable,” Mr. Fausett said.
The appeal letter sited the Code of Federal Regulations regarding expansion, relocation and construction of post offices, that states, “…the first priority is to expand the existing facility; the second priority is to find an existing building in the same area as the current facility; and the third option is to build on a new site; all within the downtown area, if possible.”
The Postal Service is looking to save money by eliminating the lease payments and moving the services to a building that it already owns, said Richard Watkins, Postal Service’s spokesperson.
“Given the Postal Services’ self-supporting business model where we don’t rely on tax dollars, we have to watch out for every penny,” Mr. Watkins said.
About 75 percent of all Postal Service facilities are leased, including the Coralville and downtown Iowa City operations. That amounts to about 23,000 of 31,000 buildings.
“From a Postal Service perspective, we’re trying to make the move that makes the most sense, while having the least customer impact. That doesn’t mean, of course, that everybody is going to agree with our decision,” Mr. Watkins said.
The lease for Coralville expires July 31, 2016; however the Postal Service has the right to cancel with 180 days written notice to the landlord.
The city’s appeal has been sent to Postal Service headquarters for review.
Electronic bill pay has hurt the postal service’s business in the last several years. In 2008, annual revenue for the Postal Service was $74.9 billion; it has dropped each year and in 2012 revenues were $65.2 billion.
Total mail volume in 2011 was 168 billion and in 2012 decreased to 160 billion. The Postal Service has eliminated about 200,000 jobs over the last 10 years.
“We’ve got to make changes in the way we collect, sort and deliver the mail. These are tough decisions, but our customers understand that changes need to be made,” Mr. Watkins said. “We’re doing everything we can to stay in business and keep these locations open. It can be a tough balancing act.”
At this point there is no real timeline and no immediate changes will occur, Mr. Watkins said.
Meanwhile, the Postal Service has been scouting new locations for its downtown Iowa City operations this summer.
The Postal Service signed a six-month extension with GSA on Sept. 1 for the building at 400 S. Clinton St.
“Right now, we’re looking at possible locations to keep it in the downtown area, not too far from campus. Typically in a community the size of Iowa City, with a large student population, the Postal Service understands it is important to maintain a retail presence in that area,” Mr. Watkins said.
Residents can contact the Postal Service regarding the decision. Letters can be mailed to:
Appeal/Coralville, IA
Vice President of Facilities
c/o Angela Kuhl
7500 E. 53rd Place, Room 1108
Denver, CO 80266-9918
