Conflicting Post Office News: Eleanor Holmes Norton Says No Post Offices Set to Close in DC – CM Graham Says T Street Station to Close Dec. 31st

14th and Wallach Place NW

Well, yesterday was a confusing day for Post Office news. First Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton sent out a press release saying there would be no closures:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has confirmed that there are no current plans to shut down any D.C. post offices. Norton contacted the U.S. Postal Service after being informed that District residents had heard that two post offices would close in December.”

Then later in the evening CM Graham wrote:

“I am advised by the employees at the “T Street Post Office” (14th and Wallach Place NW) that operations will close on December 31st of this year. They have also been told that there is no plan to open a new post office location.

If this is in fact the case, it is a serious blow to Ward 1 postal services. As we all know, “T Street” is typically jammed with people, as is the much smaller operation at Kalorama and 18th St. The Temple Heights office at 1921 Florida Avenue is also very busy..

Losing “T Street” or any of those facilities will have an adverse impact to be sure.

Development is planned for that site and the USPS lease is expiring. But the new construction could have included a post office and, obviously, another site could still be found.

I have today contacted DC Postmaster Roane requesting confirmation that the “T Street” postal facility will be relocated, and can thus be counted on to serve our residents. I support Congresswoman Norton’s position that neighborhood post offices should not be reduced.

Please email the DC Postmaster and his assistant at these addresses:

[email protected]
Postmaster of the District of Columbia

And his assistant
[email protected]

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham”

I asked both offices to reconcile the conflicting info and CM Graham writes:

“The building in which “T Street” is located is about to be demolished and developed. I have spoken to both USPS employees there, and the developer, and—as relevant to them– they all confirm that there are no apparent plans to either include “T Street” in the new building or to find another location.

Since all of this is about to happen very soon, if there is no concern, then USPS should announce the new location or the plans for a new location.”

Rep. Norton’s office writes:

“We were referring to post office closures as a result of the U.S. Postal Service’s nationwide study to determine which, if any, post offices should be shut down. Our office has confirmed with the USPS that the lease for the “T Street Post Office” expires at end of February 2012, but that the post office is not on the USPS list of postal facilities to study for closure. The Congresswoman continues in her view that District residents must have convenient access to postal services. Because the “T Street Post Office” is not on the list of possible closures, she will insist that the USPS finds a new location in the neighborhood before the lease expires so residents are properly served without interruption.”

So there it is – certainly seems like the T Street Station will be closing. Though to be honest, it’s not clear to me, how many tears will be shed for that particular Post Office…

Do you think a new location should be found for the T Street Station?