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EDA Agenda Memo <br /> November 9, 1998 <br /> Page 4 <br /> • <br /> 8. Public Informational Meeting-Relocation of Post Office <br /> Issue <br /> The US Postal Service has requested that the City of Elk River <br /> Economic Development Authority provide a forum for a public <br /> informational/input meeting regarding the potential relocation of the <br /> Elk River Post Office. The United States Postal Service is required by <br /> federal law to hold such an informational/input meeting prior to making <br /> decisions about any potential relocation of their operations. <br /> The HRA will be attending this EDA meeting to address issues and <br /> provide input as needed. <br /> Individuals from the postal service will be available to make a short <br /> presentation to the EDA prior to taking public comment. As staff <br /> discussed with the EDA, it is important to discuss the EDA/HRA <br /> interest in maintaining a post office presence somewhere in the core <br /> central business district. This would likely require that the operation <br /> • be split with warehousing and distribution being located in one of the <br /> city's business parks and the retail/service operation remaining located <br /> in the central business district. The postal service has indicated this is <br /> not an ideal situation for the operation of their business, but it has been <br /> done in other similar situations. <br /> Background <br /> The postal service is proposing to purchase an approximately 2 to 3 acre <br /> lot upon which it will construct about 22,000 square feet. This building <br /> will house their retail and service operation as well as warehousing and <br /> distribution. In addition, the building would be able to accommodate <br /> inside parking of postal vehicles and semi truck traffic for distribution <br /> purposes. There are several challenges in attempting to find a location <br /> for this size of operation and mix of uses anywhere in the central <br /> business district. Staff underwent the same type of search for the Star <br /> News when it discussed combining warehousing/distribution and their <br /> service operation somewhere in the central business district. In either <br /> case, an ideal spot for a retail location would likely not be considered <br /> ideal for warehousing and distribution. It is likely the only area that <br /> would be zoned properly for this type of mixed use would be Business <br /> Park. <br /> • <br />