Oregon Public Broadcasting

Six Willamette Valley post offices could be closed or consolidated as the postal service struggles to cut costs. They include the University Station branch in Eugene, and Brooklyn Station in Portland.

Nationwide, nearly 700 locations are on the chopping block. Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

The U.S. Postal Service is trying to cope with a sharp decline in mail volume. Think of your own life where you probably e-mail instead of write a letter and pay bills online.

The post office faces a big budget deficit despite the 2-cent increase in the price of stamps in May. Postal spokesman Ernie Swanson in Seattle says the post offices proposed for closure met some common criteria.

Ernie Swanson: “I would say they all are reasonably close to another facility. They all have had declining walk-in revenue as we call it. For the most part, they don't have that many employees, so the impact on our employees would not be too great.”

Swanson says customer input will be taken through questionnaires at the affected locations. A final decision on which branches to consolidate will be made in October at the earliest. The post office hopes to avoid layoffs through transfers and retirements.

Online:

Postal Regulatory Commission

Oregon post offices slated for closure/consolidation are all in the Willamette Valley:Eugene -University StationPortland – Brooklyn StationPortland – Central StationPortland – Solomon Station (620 SW Main St.)Brooks – Brooks Post Office (5000 Brooklake Rd. NE)Salem -- Oak Park BranchIdaho post offices slated for closure:Boise – Airport StationBoise – Collister StationPocatello – Bannock Station (102 S MAIN ST)Washington State post offices slated for closure/consolidation:Kent – Midway StationSeattle – Federal Station (downtown in the old Federal Building)Spokane – Trentwood BranchTacoma – Martin Luther King Jr. StationTacoma – South Tacoma BranchYakima -- Union Gap Station