New calls to open Minneapolis post office to river
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The Martin Olav Sabo Post Office in downtown Minneapolis. Photo: Nick Halter/Axios
There's a fresh wave of calls to do something about the massive post office that blocks a big chunk of downtown Minneapolis from the Mississippi Riverfront.
Why it matters: Minneapolis has worked for decades to make the riverfront more visitor friendly, but the heart of downtown remains largely obstructed by the post office, which stretches three blocks between Hennepin and Third avenues.
The latest: Opening the site to the river was included in Meet Minneapolis' 10-year plan released in late February and it was in the Minneapolis Downtown Council's 10-year plan unveiled in November.
Reality check: The U.S. Postal Service has repeatedly shot down the idea of relinquishing the property, and spokesperson Desai Abdul-Razzaaq reiterated to Axios that it's going to remain open.
- In 2012, the USPS shut down several state distribution centers and consolidated those functions in Minneapolis and Eagan.
Flashback: If this all sounds familiar, it should. Elected officials and civic leaders have for decades dreamed of repurposing the historic Art Deco building, which dates back to 1933 and distributes mail for much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
- Mayor Jacob Frey has been beating the drum since he was a council member representing the area in the mid-2010s.
The intrigue: Ideas for the 8-acre site have ranged from modest to grandiose, but the downtown real estate market isn't exactly hot right now. Office vacancies are piling up, hotel occupancies are still below pre-pandemic levels (but rebounding) and apartment construction has come to nearly a standstill.
- Some have suggested a market or food hall on the main level, a hotel on the top floors and a river-side balcony where people could eat and sip while gazing at the Mississippi.
- Frey and others have said demolishing a large parking ramp on the Hennepin side would improve river access.
What's inside: The building is still used by post office customers, who on a recent Monday were shuffling across marble floors, visiting bronze teller cages and packing boxes under potentially the longest light fixture in the world.
The bottom line: Despite what the USPS has said, Frey is growing more bullish.
- The Trump administration has been putting federal office buildings up for sale and canceling leases. Frey said that given the decline of snail mail and USPS consolidation, the agency might become more willing to give it up. He suggested they might be playing hardball.
- "Anybody who is looking to get a good price tag will say it's not for sale, but that doesn't mean it's not for sale," Frey said.