Mayor recants post office criticisms

~ The postal service is interested in a facility on the west side of Cape Girardeau, he said.

The reopening of the Cape Girardeau post office on North Frederick Street on Tuesday got mixed reviews from nearly everyone. Everyone, that is, except for Mayor Jay Knudtson, the person who had been its most vocal critic over the past year, who now says he understands the move.

"I'm not barking as loud as I was," Knudtson said. "Now that I know why the decision was made, I appreciate it."

Knudtson and others had lobbied for a post office on the city's growing west side. Instead, the U.S. Postal Service opted to renovate the Frederick Street facility after a leak was discovered in the roof more than two years ago.

Knudtson -- who has called the post office one of the most frustrating issues as mayor -- said there was a communication problem with the postal service and that correspondence he and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson sent the postal service was never answered.

But a tour two weeks ago of the remodeled facility with the new district manager and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has Knudtson recanting his criticisms.

Selwyn Epperson, the new manager of the Kansas City-based Midamerica District, told Emerson and Knudtson the postal service is interested in a west-side facility that would be similar to the satellite office at Bi-State Convenience store on Kingshighway.

Epperson also impressed upon Knudtson that the decision to remodel as opposed to build a new facility was financially motivated. To duplicate the North Frederick site would perhaps cost as much as $7 million, Knudtson learned, while the remodeling was $1.5 million.

"My ranting and raving was one of frustration," Knudtson said Tuesday. "But I think this new district manager intends to keep the lines of communication open. He's also very receptive to reviewing the possibility of putting another post office on the west side of town."

Knudtson said had the postal service kept him informed of their rationale, he would not have been as opposed.

Postmaster Mike Keefe said no official timeline is in place for a west-side facility but that it would probably go on Siemers Drive or "somewhere in the vicinity of the mall."

Meanwhile, patrons who got their first glimpse of the remodeled post office said the remodeling job looked nice and the post office had a roomier feel. Still, they echoed many of Knudtson's earlier concerns.

"I did like the temporary location," said Jason Parker, referring to the site that served as a post office on Christine Street. "It was more central and closer to everything. I didn't have to come way down here."

Angela Acorn said of the Frederick Street location: "It's brighter and more modern. But this location is just not very convenient. It's out of the way for a lot of people."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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