Boone council sends

message to postal service
By Frank Ruggiero
ruggiero@wataugademocrat.com

Concerning the potential sale of the downtown Boone post office, the Boone Town Council wanted to make sure its opinion on the matter was signed, stamped and delivered.

The council adopted a resolution expressing opposition to the historic landmark’s planned sale at its regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 17.

Last week, the U.S. Postal Service announced it was “exploring options” for the downtown office and that no solid decision would be made before mid-March.

The office was built in 1938 through the Works Progress Administration and features native stone, as well as the colonial revival style of architecture. One of its most prominent features is a mural depicting pioneer Daniel Boone and his fellow settlers trekking through the Appalachian Mountains.

Council member Rennie Brantz read the resolution:

“Whereas, the Boone Town Council has been informed that the U.S. Postal Service has placed, or intends to place, the downtown Boone post office building … for sale; and

“Whereas, the Boone Town Council has been advised that the transfer of ownership of the downtown post office may result in the discontinuation of the postal functions currently served by the downtown post office; and

“Whereas, the Boone Town Council has been advised that the transfer of ownership … may also result in the removal of certain murals from the downtown post office, which have cultural and historic significance to the town of Boone, the region and the nation at large; and

“Whereas, the Boone Town Council recognizes the importance to the town of Boone of the downtown post office; and

“Whereas, the Boone Town Council has committed itself to the idea of a walkable and sustainable community in the town … and the discontinuance of the downtown post office as a retail postal facility and location for customers to maintain post office boxes threatens the walkability and sustainability of the town … insofar as a large portion of the business, professional and residential community in Boone is located within walking distance from the downtown post office, and many of the current customers of the downtown post office access the facility by foot, while the ‘main’ post office is distant from the downtown and is primarily accessible by motor vehicle, and

“Whereas, the downtown post office is one of only two buildings in the town of Boone listed in the National Register of Historic Places (the other is the Jones House Community Center), and it contains art work and architectural features, which are significant to the cultural heritage and history of the Appalachian and Boone regions, and the nation as a whole; and

“Whereas, the real property upon which the downtown post office is constructed is located in or near the geographic center of the downtown area of … Boone and along the main corridor through the town … and is therefore seen in great numbers by not only the residents of Boone, but also by the many visitors to … Boone; and

“Whereas, many citizens … believe that the downtown post office and the real property upon which it is located are of great importance to the aesthetics of the town … the ambience of downtown Boone, and the economic vitality of the surrounding commercial district of the town of Boone; and

“Whereas, a change in use of the downtown post office and the construction of additional structures on the real property on which it is located have the capacity to negatively impact the aesthetics, ambience and economic vitality of the downtown area of the town of Boone; and

“Whereas, should the U.S. Postal Service follow through with the sale of the downtown post office, the town council believes that it is imperative that the building and property be retained in the public domain; and
“Whereas, the U.S. Postal Service has invited comments concerning its plans to ‘dispose’ of the downtown post office to be submitted prior to Jan. 28, 2008;

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Boone Town Council opposes the sale … and further and independently opposes the discontinuance of the use of the downtown post office as a retail postal facility and location for customers to maintain post office boxes; and

“Be it further resolved that the Boone Town Council urges the U.S. Postal Service, if it nevertheless proceeds with a sale … to leave the building, its murals and all architectural features intact and to direct the sale to the town of Boone or another public entity that will be able to maintain, preserve, protect and supervise the use of the downtown post office…; and

“Be it further resolved that, should the U.S. Postal Service proceed with the sale … the staff of the town … explore the feasibility of a purchase of the downtown post office by the town … or such other entity … and if determined feasible, undertake to itself purchase or facilitate the purchase of the downtown post office by an entity that will maintain preserve, protect and supervise the use of the downtown post office, while allowing it to remain in the public domain…”

The council directed the town clerk to forward the resolution to the real estate company placed in charge of the sale, Realty Asset Management in Englewood, Colo., as well as elected representatives in Congress, the N.C. General Assembly and the regional office of the U.S. Postal Service in Greensboro.

The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Last week, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners prepared a similar resolution, with commissioner Mary Moretz having suggested the postal service consider either giving or selling the building to the county. The commissioners are expected to adopt the resolution at their Jan. 22 meeting.

The public comment period for the building sale ends on Jan. 28. Written comments should be mailed to Realty Asset Management, 160 Inverness Drive West, Suite 400, Englewood, Colo. 80112-5005, Attn: Gloria Charlson.

Comments may be sent via email to Charlson at gloria.m.charlson@usps.gov or by fax to (651) 406-5816.