By John Durkee
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-834729.mp3
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Thursday is the last day for the Kendall/Whittier Post Office at First and Lewis. The U.S. Postal Service says the facility is being closed for several reasons:
The number of customer transactions has decreased significantly over the past two years.
The size of the facility exceeds current Postal Service requirements.
Other Postal facilities are located near-by, and
The current lease is set to expire on May 24th, 2009.
Despite the reasoning postal patrons say they are sad to see the facility close. Tulsa City Councilor Eric Gomez represents the area. He led a City Council effort to save the post office. A resolution requesting the facility remain open was passed unanimously by the City Council. Gomez says the facility was a vital part of the redevelopment of the area, which includes the historic Circle Cinema.
Neighbors have expressed their frustration with the Postal Service for closing the facility, but in a news release, the Service said "in the face of continuing economic challenges, the Postal Service has been taking, and will continue to take, appropriate operational steps to cut costs and increase efficiencies.