City of Raleigh asks US Postal Service to reconsider closing historic building

The U.S. Post Office wants to close the post office on Fayetteville Street in Raleigh because of an $8.5 billion decline in two years.

By: NBC17 Staff | MyNC
Published: May 17, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. --

During a press conference Tuesday morning, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said the City of Raleigh is asking the United States Postal Service to reconsider its decision to close the Century Station Post Office.

The U.S. Postal Service wants to shut down the historic post office on Fayetteville Street because of an $8.5 billion decline in the past two years.

Meeker said the city of Raleigh appreciates the USPS' need to economize, but said closing the 134-year-old Century Post Office would be a great mistake.

"In the 21st century, a post office that caters mostly to pedestrian traffic is a positive addition to any vibrant center city," said Meeker. "Offering a substitute facility a short distance from Century Post Office can in no way serve the purpose of this National Register Property."

Employees will keep their jobs and will be transferred to other post office locations, in accordance with union regulations.

All mail will be available at the Capitol Station post office located on New Bern Avenue about a mile away and customers will be able to keep their old P.O. Box numbers and zip codes.