Community Corner
Residents, Business Owners Argue Possible Post Office Closure
The Market Street location remains a popular destination for the downtown community, which expressed their concerns during an input meeting on Wednesday.
Local residents and business owners decried the potential closing of the downtown Leesburg Post Office, on Wednesday, during a public input session held at Rust Library.
Communications Program Specialist Laura Dvorak said that a number of post offices throughout the nation are facing possible closure. This comes after a rapid adoption of electronic communication and diversions as people choose to do online banking. The economic recession is also a concern.
“The meeting is about our plan to try and consolidate our footprint,” Dvorak said. “We have so many offices and now we need to narrow them down. This is one that they are doing a study about to see if it’s still viable to keep.”
More than 50 local residents and business owners agreed that the Market Street location is worth saving. Not only is it convenient to the downtown business area but it’s a better choice than the nearby Catoctin location.
“From my visits to the Catoctin Post Office it is already over utilized,” said Leesburg resident Robert Brown. “With the growth here I think this post office is going to be needed.”
Brown said he uses the downtown post office almost every day and with the current growth potential in Leesburg the location is needed now more than ever. Parking is a nightmare at the Catoctin Circle location, he said. The lines are long and there are safety issues that would need to be addressed.
Local resident and business owner Stilson Greene asked post office officials if they’ve ever seen the Catoctin post office during the day. "It’s a mess," he said, referencing accidents and pedestrians who have been hit causing the location to become a safety concern.
“Catoctin Circle can not handle additional load,” said newly re-elected State Senator Mark Herring (D). “It’s a hazard. People are backing up because there’s not enough parking as it is. People are in line, in the parking lot, and then it spills out onto Catoctin Circle. It just can’t handle the additional load.”
Herring added that the Market Street location contributes greatly to the vibrancy and vitality of the historic downtown area. It is an amenity for attracting businesses to locate downtown, he said, and it would be counterproductive to the current policy in trying to promote the downtown.
Virginia House of Delegates Randy Minchew (R) said he owns a business in downtown Leesburg and has had a post office box for 18 years. He suggested that the value of the downtown station is immeasurable.
“It serves the largest growing county in the commonwealth and the largest town,” he said, adding that one of the largest court systems is just across the street. Keeping the post office would be good for local businesses, he said, and it’s a fabric of the downtown area.
“The best use for this property is exactly what it is right now,” Minchew said. “I urge you to keep the station going.”
According to a presentation overview, the Postal Service is facing a financial crisis. Acting District Manager John Buclzysnki said that the financial picture is challenging at best and the projections for the future are bleak.
Since 2006 there has been a steady decrease in the volume of First-Class mail that gets delivered. It is the largest contributor when it comes to revenue that helps to keep operations running. Customer visits have also declined including retail revenue.
Manager of Post Office Operations Dusty Voorhees said that USPS has responded aggresivly to the dramatic decline in mail volume and revenue by cutting costs across the board.
Studies have also been made to address which post offices are doing better than others. Out of 3,653 post offices, 385 have less than a $600,000 annual revenue including five or more access points within two miles. Leesburg’s downtown post office falls into this group.
As the review process continues Voorhees said USPS will continue to look at the current needs of the Leesburg office including its proximity of other postal locations, alternate access options, long-term needs, and community input.
The review process normally takes up to 120 days, he said. After Dec. 14 a recommendation on whether facility should be retained or closed will be made.
“I have 35 years with the postal service. Twenty five of them downtown,” said Postal Clerk Rob Edwards. “I’ve put my heart and soul into this office and I surely would hate to see it close.”
Customers are encouraged to participate in a customer survey available at the post office at 15 East Market Street. For more information, contact postal service representatives at 540-667-3352.
