USPS to sell earth-quake damaged Napa, CA post office and renovate, repair Fernandina Beach, FL post office
August 4, 2015 – Fernandina Beach, FL – The U.S. Postal Service is planning to conduct extensive exterior and interior repairs to the historic post office in downtown Fernandina Beach.
The announcement to state and local officials comes after more than 20 years of public discussion about options for the historic building, including closing it or selling it to the city of Fernandina Beach as a new location for City Hall.
A 2010 study by Chicago architectural firm Hammond, Beeby, Rupert, and Ainge and local firm Miranda Architects estimated a complete renovation of the structure would cost at least $3.8 million.
According to a letter from Daniel Delahaye, the federal preservation officer for the Postal Service, to the state’s historic preservation officer, and copied to the city of Fernandina Beach and the post office’s manager, “the USPS has determined that the proposed renovation of the property is an undertaking and has the potential to affect historic properties. The property located at 401 Centre Street is a contributing resource to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed Fernandina Beach Historic District. … The interior finishes are essentially as originally constructed…”
The letter says interior renovations will include removal and replacement of old air conditioners, a new dehumidifier for the basement and repair of interior floor, wall and ceiling finishes that were damaged from roof leaks, failed downspouts and water intrusion.
USPS TO STOP PURSUING DEMOLITION OF DOWNTOWN NAPA POST OFFICE
At Congressman Mike Thompson’s Urging, USPS to pursue sale of Historic Franklin Station Post Office
August 5, 2015 NAPA, CA – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has agreed at this time to stop pursuing the demolition of the Historic Franklin Station Post Office in downtown Napa and will instead pursue the sale of the building and property. The USPS originally proposed demolishing the earthquake-damaged structure. However, at the urging of Thompson and local community members the USPS has decided to move forward with selling the building and property, with the stipulation that the buyer would repair the building in accordance with all applicable laws and protective covenants intended to preserve the architectural integrity of the building. The Franklin Station Post Office is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“This is the right decision for the USPS and for Napa, and I am very pleased that Postmaster General Brennan committed to working with me and our community to sell the building and property,” said Thompson. “The Franklin Station Post Office is one of our community’s crown jewels. It’s a beautiful part or our heritage and no one wanted to see it destroyed. By selling the post office, we can make sure this wonderful structure is around for many generations to enjoy.”
The USPS will initiate the process to sell the post office in mid-August. It first must notify employees, union members and Mayor Jill Techel of the intent to sell and permanently relocate. The USPS will then hold a public meeting where community members can provide feedback on the location of the new Napa post office. The USPS will also notify federal agencies of the intent to sell before obtaining an appraisal of the building and property to determine its fair market value. The post office would then be open to competitive bidding for all interested parties before a buyer is selected.
After the USPS submitted a letter to California’s State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) requesting a permit to demolish the post office, Thompson led an effort to find an alternative solution. Thompson discussed the potential sale of the historic post office with Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan and hosted a meeting with USPS officials in his Washington, D.C. office. He led the effort to involve the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which will now act as a consulting party in the consultation process the USPS initiated with SHPO under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The Franklin Station Post Office was commissioned in 1933 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal agency tasked with carrying out public works projects which employed millions of out-of-work Americans. The ornate post office was built in the art deco architectural style.
The USPS originally proposed to demolish the building due to the cost of repairing damage caused by the August 2014 earthquake.
