Who Cares If La Mesa Post Office Closes?

During the first week of May, the U.S. Postal Service delivered notices informing La Mesa residents that the retail portion of the La Mesa Carrier Annex at 6055 Lake Murray Boulevard was “being considered for consolidation,” meaning retail operations may close down there. The change would not affect mail delivery.

The postal service gave two options for responding to the news: residents could comment on questionnaires found at the annex or meet with a postal representative who would be at the Spring Valley Post Office on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Spring Valley facility at 10174 Austin Drive is nearly nine miles from the annex. By 1:30 p.m. on May 10, only five residents had met with district manager Ken Boyd. Some residents asked about retrieving mail held while they vacationed. Another was concerned about the longer drive to get packages that the carrier couldn’t deliver. Boyd assured residents that they could still pick up mail at the annex if San Diego administrators approve the consolidation; however, residents would need to go elsewhere for other postal services.

In La Mesa, there is a Grossmont Center Post Office and a Copy-It store on nearby Jackson Drive. Furthermore, Boyd said stamps are sold at ATMs, by phone, and locations such as Wells Fargo and club stores. The consolidation could take effect by the end of August.

“I apologize,” said Boyd. “It’s not something we’re looking forward to. The post office lost $21 billion in the last four years” and experienced a 40 percent reduction in first-class mail.