Benning Post Office Proposal

Here are key elements in the U.S. Postal Service’s “discontinuance” proposal regarding the post office at East River Park, 3937-1/2 Benning Road, NE:

Revenue Losses

This post office location has experienced a decline in revenue, from roughly $507,000 in 2007 to $381,000 in 2011.

Proposal

USPS proposes to “discontinue” the East River Park location and move its retail functions and post office boxes to Northeast Station at Hechinger Mall, 1353 Benning Road, NE, about two miles away.

The Northeast Station is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., M-F with a lunchtime closing between 2-3 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays.

This would take place sometime after the close of the proposal posting period, which began on 11/10/11 and ends 1/11/12.

“Advantages”

1) Stamps are available by mail order
2) “Savings for the Postal Service contribute in the long run to stable postage rate and savings for customers”
3) Customers would not have to change P.O. Box numbers [contradicted below]
4) No change in street delivery

“Disadvantages”

1) loss of retail outlet
2) “potential of some to have to travel additional distance”
3) reduction in retail hours due to closure for lunch and on Saturday

“Effect on the Community”

This section of the proposal provides one paragraph of basic demographic information, including this: The area has experienced a 0.7% increase in total population, between 2000 and 2010, and an 8.2% decrease in the number of children. It concludes with the following sentences, reproduced in their entirety: “The area is 97% Black, mostly headed by females. Many residents commute to work in Washington DC or nearby Prince Georges County.” (Presumably, the report intended to reference female-headed households and to indicate that many residents work in other parts of the District.)

“Based on the information obtained in the course of this discontinuance study, the Postal Service concludes this proposal will not adversely affect the community and every effort will be made to maintain the identity.” (No further explanation of what “identity” is meant.)

Budget

The USPS notes first that it expects 10-year savings of $3,569,414 with a breakdown as follows:

EAS Craft and Labor — $2,518,970

building maintenance — 0

transportation — 0

utilities — 62,950

contracts — 100,635

rent — 967,644

Relocation, one-time cost — -50,000

TOTAL, as provided by USPS — $2,821,659

TOTAl, based on above items — $3,600,199

Miscellaneous Notes

The location is not listed as a historical landmark.

“P.O. Box customers may have to change their P.O. Box number should they decide to continue their P.O. Box service.” [Contradicting the above "advantage."]

“The Postal Service has identified no other factors for consideration.”

Note on the Proposal Availability

Proposal at East River Park Post Office

At the November 10 community meeting, participants were promised that the proposal mentioned that day would be available to citizens. The above information was copied down from a single proposal which is pinned to a bulletin board at the post office. The bulletin board is located beyond the customer service windows. There is no sign on the door, on the walls near the entry, or in the area where customers stand in line for service mentioning this proposal.

USPS staff at this location, when asked about the proposal, said the local post office “only have surveys” and suggested calling Consumer Affairs. (No mention was made of the copy on the bulletin board.)

The Consumer Affairs line was busy, and I received no response to a message left on their line. A 20-minute wait on the line at 1-800-ASK-USPS yielded a suggestion that I call the local post office. No one I contacted, including the press office for the region, was able to provide a copy of this proposal.

See community meeting blog for information about forwarding comments to the Postmaster.

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