The members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation have written to Postmaster General Megan Brennan requesting a meeting to discuss the Postal Service’s plan to consolidate mail processing facilities and the future of delivery standards.

The letter is signed by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representatives Peter Defazio, Kurt Schrader, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici, and Earl Blumenauer.

 “We have concerns,” states the letter, “that moving forward on closing processing facilities will cause delays in on-time delivery, hurt local businesses, eliminate middle class jobs, and impair the Postal Service’s long-term viability.

“As you know, three mail processing facilities in Oregon are set to close by the end of July 2015, which will leave only two mail processing facilities in the state.  Oregon communities depend on reliable and quick mail delivery to support local business, receive medications, keep up with current events, and to vote.  We would like to better understand how USPS intends to meet the timely needs of our constituents, if mail processing facility consolidations continue and service standard times are extended.

“We understand that USPS has already started to consolidate mail processing facilities, with Bend and Pendleton plants set to close by mid-April. Due to the urgency of these pending closures and the severe ramifications for our state, we would like to schedule a meeting with you as soon as possible.”

The three Oregon processing centers slated for closure are located in Bend, Eugene, and Pendleton.  The Pendleton facility is formally known as the John F. Kilkenny Post Office and Courthouse.  It's located at 104 S.W. Dorion in a historic building that dates back to 1916, and it's on the National Register of Historic Places.  (The nomination form is here.)  The Postal Service has not said much about the future of the building, but it could be headed for sale if the processing operations move out.  

(Photo credit: John F. Kilkenny Post Office and Courthouse; Pendleton PO in 1984, National Register nomination)