USPS, City tentatively agree on plans for Post Office

PORT TOWNSEND — The U.S. Postal Service and the City of Port Townsend have reached a tentative understanding on future use of the building housing the Post Office at 1322 Washington Street.

A non-binding letter of intent has been signed that would have the Postal Service continue to provide retail postal service at the present location. The Postal Service would transfer ownership of the building to a locally-controlled entity. In exchange, an annex to house the Letter Carriers at another site would be constructed so the Postal Service could relocate the distribution functions from the historically-significant structure in the uptown area of the City.

“We are studying the feasibility of entering into such an agreement with the Postal Service,” said Port Townsend City Manager David Timmons. “Such an arrangement would allow the city to further its revitalization goals for historic preservation of a landmark building within Port Townsend.” Timmons noted that preliminary discussions have been held with Jefferson County with regard to this potentially becoming a joint city-county undertaking.

“This arrangement would result in a more efficient operation for the Postal Service while continuing to provide retail services at a well-established central location in Port Townsend,” said Randy Alder, Real Estate Specialist for the Postal Service.

No time table has been set for the tentative project.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.