FORT SMITH, Ark. -
A spokesperson for the U. S. Postal Service says four post offices in Arkansas are no longer being considered for consolidation, while four others are still on the list for possible closure.
Leisa Tolliver-Gay with USPS Customer Service in Little Rock said that stations in Barling and Johnson, as well as two stations in Little Rock, were removed after a study of more than 700 post offices nationwide to determine which could be consolidated with other offices to cut costs. However, two other Little Rock offices, as well as two locations in Fort Smith, are still being considered.
"We'll announce which stations are being nominated for consolidation at the end of our fiscal year, which is September 30," said Tolliver-Gay. "After that we will decide if we need to look for feedback from local customers, officials, and others."
"It's really convenient for me because I work right next door here," said Jo McGrew, who owns a gym next door to one of the Fort Smith offices that could close. "Everyone loves the location, so we're going to hate to see it go."
Barling residents 5NEWS spoke to were very glad to hear the post office would be staying open; one woman had been getting her mail at that location for 35 years, even after she had moved out of town.
"About 20 years ago we moved from Barling to Central City, and we would get our mail in Lavaca, but it's just easier for us to come here still," she said.
Tolliver-Gay said their initial study was to find cities or districts with multiple postal stations and list offices where services could be consolidated into nearby locations. Employees would be relocated to other nearby facilities, which would also pick up the other services those offices provided.
Leisa Tolliver-Gay with USPS Customer Service in Little Rock said that stations in Barling and Johnson, as well as two stations in Little Rock, were removed after a study of more than 700 post offices nationwide to determine which could be consolidated with other offices to cut costs. However, two other Little Rock offices, as well as two locations in Fort Smith, are still being considered.
"We'll announce which stations are being nominated for consolidation at the end of our fiscal year, which is September 30," said Tolliver-Gay. "After that we will decide if we need to look for feedback from local customers, officials, and others."
"It's really convenient for me because I work right next door here," said Jo McGrew, who owns a gym next door to one of the Fort Smith offices that could close. "Everyone loves the location, so we're going to hate to see it go."
Barling residents 5NEWS spoke to were very glad to hear the post office would be staying open; one woman had been getting her mail at that location for 35 years, even after she had moved out of town.
"About 20 years ago we moved from Barling to Central City, and we would get our mail in Lavaca, but it's just easier for us to come here still," she said.
Tolliver-Gay said their initial study was to find cities or districts with multiple postal stations and list offices where services could be consolidated into nearby locations. Employees would be relocated to other nearby facilities, which would also pick up the other services those offices provided.
