Judith Scherr For the Contra Costa Times: Confirming rumors buzzing around City Hall, the U.S. Postal Service told the Contra Costa Times that the historic downtown Berkeley Post Office is "under contract but not yet sold."  An email from the city attorney Thursday to the City Council — leaked to the Berkeley Daily Planet — sets out a process for an eventual lawsuit against the Postal Service.  USPS spokesman James Wigdel declined to name a potential buyer or to talk about what steps remain before a sale is concluded. USPS formally put the 100-year-old building at 2000 Allston Way up for sale in July 2013, drawing loud protests from many in the community.  Read more.  There's a related story, including a copy of Cowan's letter, in Berkleyside here.