August 27, 2007

Gabriel Benvenuto

United States Postal Service

160 S. Inverness West

Englewood, Colorado 80112

Re: Lawrence, Kansas U.S. Postal Service Distribution Center

Dear Mr. Benvenuto:

The Lawrence City Commission would like to reaffirm its support of the relocation of the USPS distribution and retail facilities at 7^th Street and Vermont Street, provided that a retail facility remains in downtown Lawrence. The City Commission believes that the relocation of the distribution facility to a site outside of downtown will help facilitate redevelopment of our vibrant and historic downtown district. A continued full-service retail postal facility in downtown, however, is vital to economic health and quality of life in the area. The City Commission could support a contracted postal unit model for providing retail postal service in downtown if this is the preferred option for the USPS.   

We appreciate the decades-long commitment the USPS has made to downtown Lawrence, and thank you for considering the views of the Lawrence City Commission regarding your downtown Lawrence facilities. We are excited by the opportunity to encourage redevelopment by moving the distribution facility outside downtown, while maintaining the important public service of a retail postage facility in downtown.  

Sincerely,

Sue Hack

Mayor

CC:      City Commission

            David L. Corliss, City Manager