Post offices at risk

Historic preservationists around the nation are becoming concerned at the sell-off taking place of post office buildings around the nation.

“When these post offices close, preservationists say, important public buildings become private preserves as they are refurbished into commercial spaces like high-end retail stores,” the New York Times reported last week. “Though many of the buildings' exteriors are protected by local landmark laws, many of the interiors are not and developers tend to make changes like renovating lobbies.”

Currently, there are 11 post office buildings on the market. In one case, a Virginia post office was torn down to make way for a Walgreen's store.

Many such structures were built during the New Deal period, creating jobs and leaving behind notable structures. The Reno downtown post office was built before that, when Herbert Hoover was still president. It is an art deco design—specifically, Zig Zag Moderne—by noted Reno architect Frederick DeLongchamps.

The Reno building was acquired by the city, which promptly sold it to developer Bernie Carter's company, 50 S. Virginia LLC. Carter plans a high-end retail future for the structure and has said he intends to preserve the structure and has solicited old photos and information on the structure.

The structure was assessed at $5.1 million, but the Postal Service said its worth was closer to $2.2 million because of seismic retrofit needs and other factors. The city acquired it for $1.25 million and sold it to Carter for the same amount.