HUNTSVILE, AL (WAFF) -
The U.S. Postal Service is proposing cuts that could include closing the Huntsville mail processing center. The center, located on Wall Triana Highway, is where all mail in north Alabama is sorted.
On a single day, up to 900,000 mail items go through the hub, according to supervisor Fred Owens.
The Postal Service is going through tough times financially, with more people using the Internet to send letters via e-mail, and taking care of bills online.
A proposed cost-saving measure would shut down the Huntsville-based mail processing center and move to the center in Birmingham.
"The Postal Service has proposed a service standard change in which we'll be looking at a variety of changes such as consolidation of our facilities," said Huntsville Postmaster Julia Boykin.
Boykin said if the measure goes through, all mail would travel to Birmingham to be properly sorted before making its destination, regardless of how near or far the mail item is being sent.
An Area Mail Processing study that looked into the impact of the proposal will save the Postal Service more than eight million dollars.
As for what impact the move would have on customers, local business mail acceptance times may change. Local collection box pick-up times may also see a change.
The Huntsville postmaster says no employees will be laid off if the proposal goes through, but will be repositioned to other post office locations across north Alabama.
"I can understand the cost rationale but I think logistically, it's a terrible move," said Limestone County resident Jeremy Durm.
Other customers said the proposal makes sense.
"Birmingham is a lot bigger city so naturally more mail would be filtered in that area, so I could see why that would make sense to go to a larger city and then hub from that," said Madison resident John Bownds.
No decision has been made on moving the processing center to Birmingham. The Postal Service is having a public meeting to receive feedback on the proposal. The meeting will take place on Dec. 14, 7 p.m. at Decatur Utilities on 1002 Central Parkway in Decatur.
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