Speak Up on Possible Post Office Closure

Correction: The public meeting date is Thursday, not Wednesday.

Before a final decision is made on the shuttering of the New Deal-era Post Office in downtown, officials are seeking comments from the public.

The financially-strapped U.S. Postal Service wants to relocate retail services from the Fifth Street branch to its carrier annex facility less than a mile away at 1653 Seventh St. If the move is approved, the Fifth Street property—which was built by then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Projects Administration—would be sold.

Postal service representatives will be on hand 5 p.m. Thursday for a public meeting at the Ken Edwards Center, where residents can learn more about the plans, then offer their opinions.

Written comments are also being accepted until Aug. 3, and should be addressed to: Diana Alvarado Pacific Facilities Service Office U.S. Postal Service 1300 Evans Ave. Ste. 200 San Francisco CA 94188-8200.

RELATED:

Matthew Susman has lived in Santa Monica off-and-on for the past 20 years, and plans to attend Wednesday's meeting to voice opposition. He said he submitted an application Monday to the state Department of Parks and Recreation to have the site reviewed as a potential landmark.

"The architecture is unique," he said, accusing the Postal Service of targeting the Santa Monica location because "they know it's going to go for a lot of money."

Spokesman Richard Maher said the agency is in a "very serious fiancial 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," he said in a press release.

Agency-wide, the Postal Service's financial losses have totaled $25 billion in the past five years, prompting reviews of 3,700 post offices, stations and branches for possible reduced hours, consolidation or closure.

About 30 of those are in Los Angeles County. Each has undergone public review, but their futures are still uncertain. The Postal Service hasn't announced any final decisions.