Closing Fort Smith mail center could save $1.7 million annually

A U.S. Postal Service draft study estimates that closing the mail processing center in Fort Smith and consolidating the operations in Fayetteville will save $1.7 million a year and cut 35 postal service jobs.

The estimates were part of a brief letter and summary sent Feb. 8 to members of the Fort Smith Board of Directors as part of a notification of a Feb. 24 hearing on the proposed consolidation.

A rescheduled hearing on a study to close the mail processing center in Fort Smith is set for 6 p.m., Feb. 24 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith.

The hearing was originally scheduled for Jan. 11.

The United States Postal Service announced Dec. 3 it is studying the option of closing the mail processing center in Fort Smith and consolidate the operations in Fayetteville. This marks yet another attempt by the USPS to close or consolidate the Fort Smith processing operation, which employs about 70.

According to the Feb. 8 letter from David Camp, district manager for the U.S. Postal Service, Fort Smith postal customers will see no change in service. The “Local Customer Considerations” include a claim that a “local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail.”

Fort Smith business and civic leaders have expressed concern about Arkansas’ second largest city losing its postmark if the consolidation is approved.

Leisa Tolliver-Gay, customer relations coordinator with the USPS, said recently the feasibility study will conclude in the next “couple of months,” at which time the Dallas office will review it and send a recommendation to USPS officials in Washington, D.C. She said a decision come within the next 2-3 months, or the Dallas office could ask for more information and delay the decision.

Thomas Henry, the local postal 1211 union president, is working to drum up opposition to moving the Fort Smith mail processing operations to Fort Smith. Henry has argued that there is no physical way Fayetteville postal workers can process enough mail in the time allowed to guarantee next-day delivery. He predicted an increase in the amount of Fort Smith mail that will take two or more days to be delivered to another — possibly nearby — Fort Smith address.

Those who want comment in writing should forward comments to:
Consumer Affairs Manager
420 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205-9631