Opponents Express Displeasure Over Plans To Sell Post Office Building In Berkeley

BERKELEY (KCBS) – The U.S. Postal Service's plan to sell the building housing downtown Berkeley's main post office is being met by a great deal of opposition.

A public meeting was held on Thursday to discuss the proposal to sell the historic building on Allston Way. The main post office would be moved to a yet-to-be-determined location, as close to the current site as possible.

Dozens filled City Hall chambers, expressing their displeasure with the proposal, with much of the outcry being the fact that it is a historic building that opened in 1915.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

"It seems like you're in clear violation of the U.S. Constitution and you're coming down here and stepping on our toes and our rights," said Berkeley resident John Murcko.

U.S. Postal Service spokesman Augustine Ruiz said they have seen a decline in the volume of mail and revenue since 2006, so consolidation is a must.

"The reason we're selling it is because we are bleeding red, so to speak," Ruiz said.

Harvey Smith, organizer for the Committee to Save the Berkeley Main Post Office, said the idea to relocate doesn't work and that the historical site should remain operational.

"This building was paid for by our parents, our grandparent sand our great grandparents," he said. "And there's no reason for it to be taken from the people of Berkeley."

The Berkeley City Council and the Postal Service plan to schedule another evening meeting for public comment and discussion on the proposal.

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