Gretna's downtown post office is again on the chopping block more than a year after city officials and residents mounted a large public protest against closure. Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet, who represents Gretna, said he learned of the decision shortly before Wednesday's Parish Council meeting from Mayor Belinda Constant via email. The 900-square-foot post office, located in a rail...
Gretna's downtown post office is again on the chopping block more than a year after city officials and residents mounted a large public protest against closure. Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet, who represents Gretna, said he learned of the decision shortly before Wednesday's Parish Council meeting from Mayor Belinda Constant via email.
The 900-square-foot post office, located in a rail car behind City Hall, not only serves downtown businesses but is located in the heart of the city and parish government complex. Postal service officials said last year shuttering the office would save $729,000 over a decade, as the agency struggles to deal with mounting deficits as first-class mail use declines.
But Gretna officials argued residents and businesses would have to drive up congested Belle Chasse Highway to utilize the main post office at 406 Gretna Blvd., about a mile away.
Templet hastily crafted a resolution opposing the measure.
"It's a vital post office in the downtown business district of Gretna,'' he said after the meeting.
Staff writer Ben Myers contributed to this report. Check back with NOLA.com for updates on this story.