RECENT COMMENTS
What is up with the Church Hill Post Office?
Developer Josh Bilder is on top of it and waiting for the Post Office to act according to this news interview. Despite the fact the renovations and repairs have taken place in the building, the matter is “under review” as a representative from the Post Office told NBC12.
“As far as I’m concerned, the repairs have been finished,” said Bilder. “All the reports I have, the building is structurally sound. I had people go through it, and the post office had people go through it.”
Bilder said the plan was for the post office to be operating again by this past Christmas. However, he says post office representatives asked for a couple more repairs to be completed after a walkthrough last month. Bilder says those repairs were completed before the new year.
In a statement to NBC12, a post office representative said the matter is “still under review.”
Were some folks quick to an opinion without considering all the facts? Renovations, especially in Richmond, are sometimes complex and frustrating team efforts. Channel your frustration here, but remember, do your best to keep feedback civil and constructive.
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While many of you are excited to have the Post Office back, some of you are hoping for quality customer service, as long-time reader Eric H. wrote back last spring:
I visit the Colonial Heights Post Office often and it is a model of what one should be like, and is actually smaller in size. It is clean and organized. The window and counters are wide open, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. What is the issue with having the same in the East End?
I guess “renovations” is a very loose term in this case. Repairs may have been done but certainly no renovations. Same old crappy dirty building and, as far as I’m concerned, if Josh Bilder owns it, he’s owns how crappy it looks.
#1 – Ah ah ah! Per the new CHPN people, “Channel your frustration here, but remember, do your best to keep feedback civil and constructive.”
But not too MUCH frustration. Kind of like being back in kindergarten.
(I fully agree with you.)
I’ve been to this post office many times over many years. The rudest, most nonchalant postal employees I’ve ever seen. IT gets crowded often and there is only one employee waiting on customers. IT happens at the 2nd Street location also. But there the employees are very kind and personable
Not quite sure about the “repairs”. I thought, in the beginning, the roof needed to be repaired or replaced. That isn’t even being mentioned now. A newly updated lobby also promised… where is it? If all you do is change out a few light fixtures, update a bathroom, and slap on a coat of paint and lay tile in the work area is not exactly renovating the building or making it more user-friendly for patrons.
Kelly Avellino of NBC12, said she contacted Post Office officials but that in itself is a miracle, finding anyone at the Post Office to answer phones or emails. I am curious as to why they are hesitant to occupy the building? All I know is that Josh Bilder looked very agitated and uncomfortable on camera.
I am also sure, environment employees work in makes a difference with attitudes. If you work in a prison (no open counters but bulletproof glass) and no self-serve equipment or supplies in the lobby to handle small sales and mailings, then it can be frustrating.
By the way… from the way the lease contract is made for this building according to the USPS website, what I understand is that Bilder is only responsible for the roof while all other repairs are the Post Office’s responsibility. Not sure where things went awry or who ended up being responsible for what?
It’s interesting that the employees at the (maybe) defunct 25th street post office continue to be castigated for one fault or another. I have found that they are fairly typical of most government employees.
And it’s fascinating that on one hand their poor service is criticized (as is that of employees at the VA) while on the other hand there is a continuous and rabid push to give more and more government services into their tender mercies….like ‘single payer’ health care.
Imagine your typical USPS government employee in charge of your health care…and our local USPS employees are indeed typical government employees.