What was claimed about the USPS space demands?
At the Town Hall meeting, Commissioner Beth Vickery claimed the United States Postal Service letter of November 1, 2023 to former city administrator Turner states that the USPS agreed to relocate to the LIVS designed city hall complex but is likely to "move out" if we don't build that space above 11' elevation. The letter exists but does not indicate that the Postal Service will move if they are not provided with a new facility.
The United States Postal Service letter of November 1, 2023 follows 39 C.F.R. § 241.4 Relocating retail services; adding new retail service facilities.
This section applies when the Postal Service makes a tentative decision to relocate all retail services from a retail service facility to a separate physical building, or to add a new retail service facility for a community. Both those instances apply to KCB.
Here are the facts from the November 1, 2023 letter:
"The Postal Service is relocating because [KCB] will not renew our lease due to the property being redeveloped."
"This is the United States Postal Service's final decision with respect to the Postal Service's proposal to relocate retail services from the [Key Colony Beach] post office to a new location as close as possible to the current location and within the zip code..."
"The Postal Service has decided to proceed with the relocation. The Postal Service anticipates providing the same services at the new location as provided to our customers at the former location. Additionally the Postal Service plans to continue services at the existing temporary post office until the new facility has been completed."The letter does not describe actual location or the anticipated size of the retail service facility.
An unsigned "draft" contract provided by USPS does show their expectation of renting space in the LIVS-designed city hall complex. It has no requirement for floor elevation, only that the space meet "Florida Building Code." This contract has not been ratified by USPS or by KCB. An analysis of the LIVS design shows the proposed space will not hold all the PO boxes from the original Post Office.