HRSR INFORMATION 09-23-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• a booklet (see box below) offering A proactive approach may not postal service,though. In that cen- downtowns a proactive approach to save the downtown branch of the tral business district,it's not prof- retaining their post offices. Delray Beach,FL (pop. 47,000), itability that is driving the closure, Keep your post office downtown If the Postal Service (USPS) announces an inten- blance to the town you live in or your town's future tion to close the facility in your downtown, you're not growth plans. helpless. The LISPS is required to take certain steps • Suggest a process that includes more cooper- before closing, and some communities that mobilize ation and collaboration and longer timelines than the early have successfully kept the post office down- regulations require. town. For example,the USPS must meet with local officials as a first step, describing the needs of the • And finally, impress upon the postal representa- post office and the scope of the new project. Here tives your town's commitment to a vital town center are some tips for preparing for that meeting and fol- and the essential role that the post office plays in that lowing up. These tips are excerpted from A Local vitality. " Official's Guide to Developing Better Community Post Immediately after the meeting: Offices, a project of the Vermont League of Cities • Send a follow-up letter to the USPS officials, and Towns,the Preservation Trust of Vermont, and recapping what was proposed, presented and dis- the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. cussed at the meeting. Copy that letter to the state Before the meeting: and local leaders identified above. Act quickly. Identify state, regional, and local • Call a meeting of the local and state leaders • leaders that are committed to the preservation or identified above to identify strategies for keeping the revitalization of your community's downtown and let post office downtown. them know that the post office is considering a relo- •Spend some time analyzing the data and infor- cation. Those contacted should include: select mation provided by the USPS officials. Compare it board or city council members, local/state or region- with your own data. Check to see if it is internally al planners, local/state historic preservation officials, consistent (i.e. ,are they proposing three employees local chamber of commerce and/or other business but asking for nine employee parking spaces), groups, neighbors, local development, revitalization Examine the information critically and present fol- or "beautification" committees, congressional low-up questions in writing as necessary. offices, and business leaders. • Establish a team to begin to explore alterna- At the meeting: tives and to be able to respond to problems and • Make sure you understand the reasons the proposals presented by the post office. Consider all USPS has identified that require a relocation, e.g., alternatives, including separating postal functions — more ;space for sorting, distribution, and circulation; keeping retail services downtown if circulation and more space for retail services; more space for park- distribution services cannot be accommodated. ing and truck traffic; unsafe and deteriorating work • Be creative when considering how to get nec- space. If you are going to promote a viable alterna- essary information. The USPS officials may not tive, you will need to directly respond to the needs always be the most efficient source. and problems identified by the post office. • Visit other post offices in your region, especially • Ask the postal officials for details that quantify ones built in the last five years. Consider talking to the problems. Request that all information be in writ- carriers and postal clerks to get a better understand- ing - it will make your analysis and response to the ing of the operations and needs of the post office. information easier:When requesting information, do Contact:For more information, or a copy of the full 41 not settle for vague or off-point answers. Keep ask- booklet, contact the Preservation Trust of Vermont, 104 ing. If the postal service is relying on demographic Church St., Burlington, VT 05401, (802)658-6647. The data, review it closely. The data may have no resem- book is also available on the web, at www.ptvermont.org. September 1, 2002 • Downtown Idea Exchange • 3