The downtown Redmond branch of the United States Postal Service (USPS) will be moving to a new location, still in the downtown neighborhood, within approximately eight months, according to Ernie Swanson, communications expert in the Seattle office of the USPS.

“Nationwide, we are selling off small properties and consolidating our operations,” Swanson told the Redmond Reporter.

Letter carrier operations for Redmond have already been shifted from the downtown post office at 16135 NE 85th St. to the USPS facility on the east side of Redmond, at 7241 185th Ave. NE.

Therefore, “the old facility is too big for us now,” Swanson noted. But “we will confine our search for a new facility to the downtown area, for the purpose of providing people with mailing options and P.O. boxes,” said Swanson. Options for the new location have not yet been identified, Swanson said.

A community meeting was held before the Redmond City Council on Aug. 17 to discuss the Postal Service’s plans. A review period with opportunity for additional input from the city and community is currently underway. Deadline for public input is Sept. 17 and any comments are welcome.

Following the review period, the Postal Service will begin advertising for about 5,000 square feet of space in an existing building that could be made into a postal retail unit. All postal products and services would be available at the new location along with P.O. boxes.

“This is an important move for the Postal Service,” according to Redmond Postmaster Harleynda Wilcox. “We want to make a smooth, easy transition for our customers and our employees.”

For information about services currently offered at the Redmond post office or to offer suggestions, including possible locations for the new downtown retail outlet, call (425) 881-1640, e-mail harleynda.m.wilcox@usps.gov or visit www.usps.com.