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Postal Service chooses to stay at 23rd and Union with slimmed down post office

The old Post Office still doing its thing... for now (Image: CHS)

The old Post Office still doing its thing… for now (Image: CHS)

Following the move of distribution resources to a centralized facility in SoDo and the transition of P.O. Boxes to the Broadway location, it turns out “a smaller, more cost-effective location” for the retail component of 23rd and Union US Post Office is… 23rd and Union.

Longtime landowner Tom Bangasser confirmed that USPS has inked a five-year lease for a new 1,000 square-foot retail shop in the north MidTown Center building. Bangasser said the postal service also agreed to a five-year option that could keep the facility operating for the next decade.

In 2013, we reported on the decision to shutter the 23rd and Union postal facility adding a dismal new element to stalled development at the key Central District intersection. Bangasser said the new lease starts in May but the post office won’t move until work on the new space is complete.

Bangasser had no updates about putting the post office’s former home into motion after the federal service leaves but said his effort to win a rezone of his 100,000 square-foot Central District property is still moving forward despite a Hearing Examiner’s decision that the application be rejected. We reported here in 2013 on Bangasser’s hopes for zoning that would allow development to 65 feet on the land. Bangasser said he has appealed the decision and the matter should be taken up by the Seattle City Council this summer.

Meanwhile, Lake Union Partners announced it will soon break ground on its apartment project The Central in the now-empty lot on the southwest corner of 23rd and Union. The developer paid $3.8 million for the land and the approved plans for a 92-unit, mixed-use building at the site. In comments on our post about Lake Union’s planned development around the corner at 2407 E Union, developer Patrick Foley said the building should break ground in “a couple weeks.” Across the street from the 2407 project, Capitol Hill Housing is also moving forward with its plans for an affordable mixed-use building for the site currently home to the old Key Bank/Liberty Bank building. The neighboring former Med Mix building remains without a new tenant but there is work on the lot to add a twin retail building to the corner.

Perhaps the greatest sign of healthy growth at 23rd and Union is the buzzed about return of soul food legend Helen Coleman. That kind of addition and planned project actually breaking ground, hopefully, will help make “the future of 23rd and Union” articles a thing of the past.

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Timmy73
Timmy73
9 years ago

Glad this location will stay open as they provide a needed service to the community. That being said, the customer service at this location is just awful. Consistently terrible.

Ethan27
Ethan27
9 years ago

There is almost always a long, slow-moving line at this post office. It may be more cost effective for the post office to downsize, but I bet it just make a long line longer in a much smaller room.

Andy
9 years ago

Maybe they can ink a deal with the neighboring pot shop so you can take a number, smoke a little, and then get your stamps.

doh!
doh!
9 years ago

Wait, what is “the buzzed about” Helen Coleman? You linked to the same story twice and it’s from 2012.

Delia
Delia
9 years ago

This location is constantly busy, serving what is clearly a great need in the area AND it has parking! I’m so glad it will be staying. Re the long lines: I’m always surprised how few people use the automated option with the little machine, scale, etc. right as you walk in. I nearly always use it when I got to the post office. The only downfall is it doesn’t allow you to purchase at the media mail rate. If it did, I’d never stand in line. It sells stamps, too!

joanna
9 years ago
Reply to  Delia

Customer service is slow only due to use. The workers are among the most patient and pleasant people you can imagine.

Ryan A
Ryan A
9 years ago

Great News about the Post Office sticking around. I’m with Joanna- never had a problem with the personnel- it’s just a really busy Post Office.

Seems like Union is picking up steam and has got the potential to be a really excellent drag.

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