The Dover Post Office could soon have a new home.
The Dover Post Office has been at its current location on Loockerman Street since it was built. But last year, the U.S. Postal Service announced it would not renew its lease there, which expires in June 2020.
“The City leases the land where the Post Office is currently located and that initial lease started - I believe in 1964. The Post Office for all intents and purposes is land-locked. Their mission is increasing, so it was mutually agreed that when their lease ran out they were going to look for a new location,” said Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen.
Christiansen says the USPS has considered several locations.
“One of them was taken off the table when the Value City location announced that they’re planning to have a Dollar Tree (store) and a number of other stores and restaurants located in that old property. There are also two other locations they’re (USPS) is looking at.”
Christiansen says it appears the USPS is leaning toward the old Chesapeake Utilities property on S. Queen Street. The other option is the Capital Station shopping center where the old Playtex Plant was on Kings Highway.
Christiansen says he’s happy if they choose the S. Queen Street site.
“That certainly is a great site - it keeps the Post Office convenient to all of our citizens" said Christiansen. "It also is a rather large area that should provide ample parking and it’s a quick shot to major roads to have the trucks haul the mail out of Dover as well as in Dover.”
He says it’s expected that a final decision will be made by mid-September.
Christiansen says the current Post Office building belongs to the feds, but discussions are underway about giving it to the City of Dover for use as a possible museum.
