Postal Service targets 3 branches in Youngstown for total shutdown

No other post offices in the Mahoning Valley are on the potential closing list.

By David Skolnick

YOUNGSTOWN — Looking to save money, the U.S. Postal Service is considering closing more than 3,000 stations and branches nationwide, including three in Youngstown.

The three are among the least frequented post offices in the Mahoning Valley, said Victor Dubina, a postal service spokesman.

Just because the three are on the list doesn’t mean they will be closed, he said.

That decision would be made by postal officials in Northeast Ohio and finalized by national postal officials, Dubina said.

An announcement on closing the three offices could come as early as October, he said. After an announcement, the stations would remain open for about 30 days, he said.

Those potentially on the chopping block are:

733 N. Garland Ave. on the city’s East Side.

104 W. Hylda Ave. on the South Side and

2030 Mahoning Ave. on the West Side.

No other post offices in the Mahoning Valley are on the list, Dubina said.

The postal service is projecting a loss of more than $6 billion this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

The losses are caused by significant declines in mail as a result of the economic downturn and the increased use of online bill paying and the Internet, Dubina said.

The postal service is expected to handle 180 billion pieces of mail this year, Dubina said. That is down from 213 billion in 2006.

“People are buying less stamps and when they buy stamps, they can do it online or at other locations” than post offices, Dubina said. “We’re reviewing our system. We’re looking to find ways to reduce costs. We’re dependent on revenue and these three stations” are among the least used.

Youngstown has eight post offices, including the three that could be eliminated, Dubina said.

“No determination has been made to close any stations or branch office,” said Youngstown Postmaster Veronica Rice in a prepared statement. “But we have an obligation to pursue strategies and solutions that will mitigate the impact of the economy and electronic diversion.”

Employees at the three post office locations that could close would be moved to different branches in Youngstown, Dubina said.

skolnick@vindy.com

POST OFFICE

Potential closings

The U.S. Postal Service is considering closing three locations in Youngstown. A decision won’t be made until at least October. The three are:

East Side Station, 733 N. Garland Ave.

South Side Station, 104 W. Hylda Ave.

West Side Station, 2030 Mahoning Ave.

Source: U.S. Postal Service