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| Wilson wants Postal Service to Deliver on Promise |
March 20, 2002 |
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South Valley Distribution Center may be in question
Albuquerque, NM - Congresswoman Heather Wilson wants to be certain the United States Postal Service delivers on its promise to relocate their processing and distribution center to Albuquerque’s South Valley. Recently, officials with the Albuquerque postal office told Wilson’s staff that the project is on hold. Wilson today asked Postmaster General John E. Potter for a complete status report on the project and expressed her concern with any further delays to construction.
“I was recently made aware of the Postal Service’s intention to not proceed with construction of a new processing and distribution center in Albuquerque’s South Valley,” Wilson today told Potter. “If this is true, I find this development very disappointing and urge you to review and reverse this decision.”
“This project is a critical component of economic development in Albuquerque’s South Valley. An enormous amount of work and countless commitments have been made… While I understand that economic development is not the mission of the United States Postal Service, I do believe that a great number of people are counting on the post office standing by its decision to move your processing and distribution center to this South Valley site. I’m certain you agree that a change in direction at this point benefits no one.”
Wilson cites a number of planned improvements and commitments made based on the promise of a new postal facility in Albuquerque’s South Valley, including improvements and upgrades to infrastructure in the area, donated land for roads and a childcare center, and a 40-acre development in the final stages of negotiation, left in limbo without a firm commitment from the Postal Service.
Wilson asked Potter for an immediate status report on the project.
March 20, 2002
Mr. John E. Potter
Postmaster General-Chief Executive Officer
Unites States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza Southwest
Room 10022
Washington, D.C. 20260
Dear Postmaster General Potter,
I was recently made aware of the Postal Service’s intention to not proceed with construction of a new processing and distribution center in Albuquerque’s South Valley. If this is true, I find this development very disappointing and urge you to review and reverse this decision. If this information is inaccurate or incomplete, I welcome your immediate status report on where the project stands today and when we can expect a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility, or what your plans are for use of the 41 acres now owned by the Postal Service.
This project is a critical component of economic development in Albuquerque’s South Valley. An enormous amount of work and countless commitments have been made by the Schwartzman Family (the sellers of the site), the Postal Service, and officials with Bernalillo County government and the people they represent.
It is my understanding that, based on feasibility studies completed by the Postal Service, the current facility located at Broadway and Lomas was deemed not feasible due to limited size and the presence of onsite soil contamination, limiting the ability to expand the building. Therefore, the Postal Service decided to look for an additional site. Funds were approved and the site was purchased by the Postal Service.
Because of that purchase and the post office’s commitment, Bernalillo County officials have moved to improve and upgrade infrastructure in the area, as requested by the Postal Service. Numerous companies and businesses have chosen to invest in the area and move there. The Schwarztman family, who originally sold the proposed site to the Postal Service, also made a number of commitments that would benefit economic development in the area and would help the Postal Service with their goals. They donated land for roads and made a commitment to donate a site for a childcare facility for postal employees.
Additionally, based on the commitment by the Postal Service, a future forty-acre development agreement is in the final stages of completion. The development stands to add hundreds of additional jobs and will have a potentially huge economic impact in the area. I am told today that success of this development hinges upon the Postal Service’s decision to relocate your distribution center.
Mr. Potter, while I understand that economic development is not the mission of the United States Postal Service, I do believe that a great number of people are counting on the post office standing by its decision to move your processing and distribution center to this South Valley site. I’m certain you agree that a change in direction at this point benefits no one.
I look forward to an immediate response from your office.
Sincerely,
/signed/
Heather Wilson
Member of Congress
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