Slow But Steady—

Work Proceeds On Hawleyville PO Site

By Nancy K. Crevier

Both the United States Postal Service and the broker for the 23 Barnabas Road site selected by the USPS as the new home for the Hawleyville Post Office believe that progress is being made toward opening the new facility, although an early September opening may be a bit optimistic.

In late July, USPS spokesperson Maureen Marion said in an email to The Newtown Bee that upcoming meetings with the developer/contractor were scheduled to “help finalize some elements of design and the associated costs to bring the site up to speed as a new post office.” Those details would include utility accessibility, and architectural designs for the interior work “in compliance with our rather rigid and standardized postal requirements for security and retail application,” she noted.

On August 12, Mick Consalvo of Tower Realty, broker for the site, said that the developer’s attorneys had reviewed the lease and that an upcoming meeting he had scheduled with William Moncrief, USPS retail specialist, would offer the opportunity to review those changes and “make sure [Mr Moncrief] understands we want the lease signed. The developer [Steve Nicolosi of Newtown] is stuck without a lease signed.”

Mr Consalvo also said that architects are progressing with the interior designs. “We’re almost there and hope to finalize [with the architects] next week,” he said. Once the interior design is finalized, the developer must then pull permits to continue the work. He is hopeful the town will expedite the permits, so that work can begin as soon as possible. “The buildout is not that complicated,” said Mr Consalvo, “so the work part won’t take that long once they get started.”

Some exterior site work remains in limbo, as well, until a lease is signed. “There are specific site changes that the Postal Service wants, but will not be made if the USPS decides not to sign the lease, so that is being held up,” said Mr Consalvo. He is not concerned, he stressed, that the USPS would change its mind at this late date.

“It does take time and we are being patient. I don’t see an opening within the next couple of weeks, but we are progressing,” Mr Consalvo said.