Douglas Post Office customers are being asked what postal services they use at the island store and how often.
The U.S. Postal Service has sent out a survey to help gauge the importance of small post offices across the country.
While the Postal Service had targeted 36 in Alaska for closure, Alaska district officials announced on Monday that 25 remote stations will remain open. Eleven are still being reviewed, including Douglas.
Letters and surveys went out to Douglas customers on Monday. The letter says their input – from the survey and a public meeting — will be considered in the final decision. The survey deadline is September 11. The letter lists no date for the meeting.
The survey asks how often people buy stamps, mail letters or packages and use other postal services at the Douglas Third Street station, versus online or at other Juneau outlets. It also asks if the post office assists senior citizens or people with disabilities, if it’s a school bus stop, a public bulletin board, or a community gathering place.
While those types of activities separate many small rural from more urban post offices, workload is the key. The letter says mail volume and revenue at the Douglas station have steadily declined over recent years. If Douglas is closed, customers would use the Federal Station on Ninth Street in Juneau, 2 point 7 miles away; or the Mendenhall station, 11 miles away.
The Postal Service has recommended closing 3,700 post offices nationwide.
