ThisWeek UA 1/12/2011 — Reprinted in Columbus Dispatch
The U.S. Postal Service is shipping out from its current location at 3700 Riverside Drive to a new retail location at the Kingsdale Shopping Center.
The new operation is a cost-cutting measure for the postal service, according to Richard Hancock, a real estate specialist for the USPS Eastern Facilities Service Office. However, the savings will not affect services, and it should provide added convenience for many Upper Arlington residents with the newly built facility and more centralized location.
In early 2010, city council worked with the USPS to survey residents about the best location for the new branch office. The USPS looked at sites at 2812 Fishinger Road, 3280 Riverside Drive, 2121 Riverside Drive and then at the Kingsdale, Arlington Commons and Fiesta shopping centers. Survey results from the February poll showed a 58 percent of residents felt that Kingsdale would be the best fit.
Although resident input was not the only factor in making this decision, the USPS did take it into consideration and ultimately came to the same conclusion as residents.
An official move date has not yet been announced, but Hancock stated that the timeframe for the move is scheduled for sometime between the end of July and the beginning of September.
While the current location handles mail sorting and distribution functions, the new location only will serve as a retail location.
“The mail sorting that was occurring at the Riverside location will move down to the Twin Rivers location,” Hancock said. “(We are) not aware of any planned job cuts associated with the move.”
The new location is expected to continue to provide similar lobby services available at the current location such as shipping, passport applications and packaging and postage sales. The new location also will continue to offer post office box services. Lobby hours are expected to remain the same as at the current location: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
When asked if the current facilities on Riverside Drive will revert back into retail shopping space. City economic development director, Matt Shad said, “The current owner has not made any announcements as to how the space and property will be used once the lease with the U.S. Post Office concludes.”