by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
Several downtown businesses have asked about housing post office services, but it will probably be months before one is selected.
The U.S. Postal Service has compiled a list of people who have expressed an interest in contracting for the space, said Joseph Breckenridge, a spokesman headquartered in Atlanta.
Most of them responded to the publicity surrounding the September closing of the USPS space at Ziba’s Hair Salon on Hogan Street. The Postal Service will now contact them to see how many are interested in submitting formal applications, Breckenridge said.
Businesses that may be interested in being a contracted downtown post office should call Donna Hull, marketing manager, at (904) 858-6501.
“We’re looking for this process to be done as quickly as possible,” said Breckenridge. “But being a government agency, there are a number of hoops we have to jump through. And, in the interest of fairness, we have to be thorough. Typically, it will take months before the whole process is completed.”
The Post Office had been in the old federal courthouse but was asked to move when the new U.S. Courthouse at Jacksonville was completed.
The USPS signed a contract with Ziba’s in May, but the arrangement was ended four months later. Breckenridge said the salon wanted more money and for more postal employees to help in the store.
By taking a percentage of the projected generated revenue and post office box rental fees, the salon’s contract with the Postal Service was valued at approximately $70,000.
The post office boxes and postal retail counter have been moved to the Jacksonville General Mail Center, 1100 Kings Rd.
Businesses that would double as contract units need enough space to accommodate a postal retail section as well as postal boxes, said Breckenridge, whose territory extends from Boca Raton to Pensacola and into Georgia.
Contracting for space with private businesses “is a trend that’s been going on for some time,” he said. “It’s an attempt to leverage our limited resources.”
The arrangement, he said, “is often a good one for the host business, like an office supply store or, sometimes, a convenience store — businesses that depend on foot traffic, or what’s called ‘door swings.’
“They get something, and we get something. We are able to extend our infrastructure. They are able to help ensure their profitability. It’s one of those arrangements where both sides benefit.”
The USPS has been signing contracts with private businesses “for many, many years,” said Breckenridge, “but it’s more important to us now, with mail volume trending downward.
“The actual numbers may not be going down, but the rate of growth has been trending down somewhat. If that trend continues, our income is not going to be able to support our infrastructure. It’s that crisis point we’re trying to forestall or avoid.”