USPS notice for new Upper Arlington branch confuses neighbors
UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) — People in Upper Arlington and the surrounding area say they are confused and frustrated after receiving a cryptic flyer from the U.S. Postal Service about a proposed post office relocation.
The blue and white postcard references the former post office at 3700 Riverside Dr., which closed in 2021 and temporarily moved to 1800 West Henderson Road. At the time, a USPS spokesperson said the closure and move were prompted by the branch's lease expiration at the Golden Bear Shopping Center.
In 2023, Golden Bear Shopping Center was demolished for redevelopment. Since then, little information on plans for the branch's return to another location has been shared with the public until the mailer arrived.
“Due to nonrenewal of lease for redevelopment at the former location, the USPS proposes relocating to a new facility, an existing building to lease that is approximately 3,000 SF, with designated parking, located within the 43221 ZIP Code,” the USPS notice reads. “The proposed facility will maintain the same level of service.”
In a social media post on Nextdoor, a long thread of comments expressed annoyance with the situation.
“Residents of Zip Code 43221: We received a mailer from USPS about [the] proposed relocation of the branch location formerly at 3700 Riverside Dr. It is advertising a 45-day 'comment period,'” the original poster wrote. “So — it looks like USPS wants us to scout out real estate for them. Interesting. Scout away!!!”
Many comments echoed this same irritation, mentioning the perplexing language used on the notice and a perceived lack of communication from the USPS over time.
“It's been closed for years! In typical government fashion, they're totally out of touch and too late,” one person wrote.
“This notice is years late! I’m guessing they received notice that they failed to give advance public notification,” another writer observed.
Several residents who shared were upset that the branch was closed and not replaced. One commenter said they planned to submit feedback and missed the convenience of that location. Others voiced fear that the closure might become permanent, especially if the lack of public response is used as justification.
“It was a very active branch,” one person reminisced. “[The] decision was real estate based and not popular… it has been wrought with inconvenience and lousy service.”
“We need a larger facility than [the] Henderson site, or we need an additional location,” remarked another unhappy customer.
The discussion of the possibility of finding a new home for the branch was rather downbeat, with one person recalling that a previous search “for potential alternate quarters prior to the loss of lease at the former location” failed. Another said that any open land in the area would likely be turned into apartments.
A USPS spokesperson confirmed that the information on the flyer refers to the former location at 3700 Riverside, and a new site has not yet been located.
“The purpose of the postcard is to notify customers USPS is searching for a location,” the spokesperson said. “It’s also an invitation for the community to share their thoughts and/or any locations they think USPS should consider; that’s within the 3,000 SF range.”
The public is invited to send comments within 45 days from the postcard's delivery. The notice is dated April 30 on the USPS website. Suggestions should be sent to:
Attn: Upper Arlington Branch, OH PO Relocation
United States Postal Service
P.O. Box 27497
Greensboro, NC 27498-1103