Sell Berkeley’s Main Post Office? No Way!

Some 3,700 historic buildings across the country are on the chopping block as the US Postal Service moves forward with “realignment” plans. For more details on the fight to save the post offices watch for our October newsletter, coming later this week.

In the meantime, if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, please save the date for an important hearing where the USPS will take public comment on the fate of Berkeley’s Main Post office, a gorgeous 1915 building that hosts amazing New Deal art.

Be prepared to fill the public record: 7 PM, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012.

Can’t make it? You can also send written comments. See below for details.

 

Full text of USPS meeting notice:

“October 24, 2012

Notice of Public Meeting and Comment Period
for Proposed Relocation of Berkeley Post Office

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is proposing the relocation of the Berkeley Post
Office, located at 2000 Allston Way.

If the move is approved, there would be no impact on letter carrier delivery to the City’s residents and businesses, and no change to Post Office Box numbers or ZIP Codes, and our goal is to retain all PO Box numbers.

Public input on this proposed relocation is welcome. A public meeting will be held  to explain the proposal and hear comments from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at the Berkeley Public High School, 1980 Allston Way. The meeting will be held in the High School Auditorium.

Written comments are also being accepted until December 7, 2012. Please submit written comments to:

Diana Alvarado
Facilities Implementation – Pacific Area
U.S. Postal Service
1300 Evans Ave. Ste. 200
San Francisco CA 94188-8200

The reason behind the proposal is the realignment of USPS infrastructure to a 26-percent drop in total mail volume over the past three years, brought about by the diversion to electronic communication and business transactions. USPS does not receive tax dollars for its operations or facilities, but covers costs solely through the revenue received from the sale of its products and services.

The Postal Service is in a very serious financial situation and is facing insolvency.

Every opportunity to reduce expenses and generate revenue is being considered in order to maintain universal service to our customers. If this relocation is approved, USPS anticipates selling the current Berkeley Post Office building.”

Rachel Brahinsky is the Living New Deal's managing director and postdoctoral fellow.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.