GAINESVILLE – Brenau University President Dr. Ed Schrader rose from his seat in the audience and walked to the podium. The public hearing portion of the agenda at Tuesday evening’s Gainesville City Council meeting had arrived and City Attorney Abb Hayes has just asked if anyone wanted to comment on the recent announcement that the main branch of the post office was considering relocation from its current Green Street location.
“We (Brenau University) wrap all the way around the post office,” Schrader began, “and have long coveted that space as it adjoins the Jacobs School of Business.”
“We’re extremely happy to know that the United States Postal Service is considering moving the traffic off of Green Street because we would love to move students into that facility, primarily for our teacher education program, which is growing right now, “Schrader said.
“We’re excited about the opportunity for that real estate to come on the market.”
Schrader said the university had financing for the acquisition in place for the purchase but would not hesitate to use SPLOST funds if available.
(Mayor Danny Dunagan explained after the meeting that a previous SPLOST initiative included funds for the city to acquire the post office site, but the economic recession that followed nearly a decade ago never saw the SPLOST projections fully realized. Because of the unexpected shortfall several budget items in the SPLOST had to be eliminated, including the monies to fund the post office site acquisition.)
Schrader said, “I want the council to know that our interest in the property is not contingent upon any SPLOST opportunity. That would be great, but for now Brenau has the wherewithal to make a deal with the U.S. government on that property, if it’s beneficial for the community.”
According to federal regulation anytime the post office considers a move several things must first happen, including a public meeting where postal officials hear citizen comment.
Sandy Rybicki, Real Estate Specialist for the U.S. Post Office, attended the council meeting as that representative.
Rybicki said, “Our current facility contains approximately 25,000-square feet; our need for a new facility would be approximately 6,000-square feet on a site of 1.3-acres. Our existing facility is substantially larger than what our needs are.”
“If the project moves forward it’s definitely our desire to maintain a retail presence in close proximity to the existing main post office,” Rybicki said. “Our preferred area is within a 3.5-mile radius of the existing post office.”
Rybicki said all comments or questions regarding the relocation should be sent to the following address:
Sandra A. Rybicki, Real Estate Specialist
USPS Facilities Implementation
PO Box 667180
Dallas, TX 75266-7180
NOTE: Dr. Schrader was kind enough to speak with this writer and answer a few questions about Brenau’s intention for the post office building and site. That interview is available in the box to the left of this story.
