by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Indications are the United States Postal Service is returning to Downtown.
Doug Reed, a real estate specialist in the Facilities Service Office of the USPS, did not return several call seeking comment. However, in a letter to Mayor John Peyton last week, Reed said the Postal Service has narrowed its choices to two locations: the new Central Business District parking garage and the parking garage at the corner of Main and Duval streets — also known as the Main Library garage. Both garages were built and are owned by Metropolitan Parking Solutions (MPS) and both have ground-floor retail space as required by the City.
“This project was placed under review and recently reactivated,” said Reed, adding an advertisement was run in a local paper. “Based on the results of the advertisement, the enclosed list of properties will be reviewed by our Site Review Committee as possible locations.”
Reed also said any public comments or comments from the mayor’s office must be submitted within 30 days of the letter.
Michael Munz is vice president of The Dalton Agency, which represents MPS. Munz confirmed the sites and the ongoing talks with the Postal Service.
“We are in the evaluation process to determine how to logistically meet their needs,” said Munz. “The biggest challenge is finding a space where they can provide a variety of services.”
For many years, the Postal Service was located in the old Federal Courthouse. In June of 2003, the USPS vacated the building after the City purchased it in order to incorporate it into the new County Courthouse facility. After searching unsuccessfully for an alternative site, the Postal Service decided not to pursue a Downtown location. Early last year, the Postal Service began to look at Downtown again and the Main Library garage was an original target site.
“We have been working on this for a year-and-a-half,” said Munz, of filling the retail space. “Our intent all along was to fill these retail spaces. The Postal Service has afforded us the opportunity to work out the terms on an agreement.”
Munz said the Postal Service has not indicated a preference. The CBD garage is closer to both I-10 and I-95, something Munz says may be a deciding factor. He also said if a deal can be signed in the “very near future” the Postal Service would be the first retail tenant in either garage. Munz said MPS is also close to signing other retail tenants.
“I am really hoping the post office project becomes reality in the near future,” said Munz. “They recognize the need to have a presence in Downtown Jacksonville.”
Terry Wilkins and his wife Vikki own The UPS Store on Hogan Street. Wilkins said before they opened the store, the Postal Service approached him about running a Downtown USPS location. Wilkins declined and opted for a UPS Store franchise instead.
“We looked at the contract and backed away,” he said. “It limited us too much.”
Wilkins said he’s anxious to see who actually runs the location.
“It will be interesting to see whether it’s run by the Postal Service or an individual,” said Wilkins, referring to the beauty salon that used to be on Hogan that handled basic postal services after the big post office closed.
Wilkins said he doesn’t think a Postal Service facility will hurt his business. He said 70 percent of the postal services he handles are the sale of stamps. His store offers a multitude of other services the Postal Service doesn’t including notary services, color copying, greeting cards, office supplies and more. Depending on the size of the package, UPS is also cheaper for shipping.
“We are less once a package gets over 10 pounds,” he said. “Plus, we can track the package and we offer $100 of free insurance.”