USPS in negotiations with potential Post Office buyer

After being on the market for two years, the Camas Post Office may soon have a buyer.

Ron Anderson, public relations coordinator for the Portland postal district, said on Friday that there is an interested buyer who is in active negotiations with representatives from the USPS real estate office in Denver.

“They are in the process,” Anderson said. “There’s no promises that they will reach an agreement, but something is happening.”

Anderson said because of the magnitude of the real estate transaction, no other details would be released at this time.

Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association Executive Director Paul Dennis said he has been in contact with the local residents who are in negotiations with USPS for the property. He said Friday that he has scheduled an informational meeting with the Washougal couple, but he does not know what is planned for the site if the sale transaction is successful.

When the post office, located at 440 N.E. Fifth Ave., is purchased all services previously available at the downtown site would be moved about 1.5 miles away to the Camas Carrier Annex at 2455 S.E. Eighth Ave., which is adjacent to Gunderson’s Les Schwab Tire Center.

In December 2009 the USPS announced that in an effort to cut costs, the downtown Camas property would be put on the market.

“It is important to know that in these current economic conditions, the Postal Service, which is self-supporting and receives no tax dollars for our operations, must make sound business decisions regarding costs,” Anderson said at the time. “It makes no sense to operate from two different locations in such close proximity when Postal Service operations can be consolidated into one location and maintain efficient mail delivery service.”

The downtown Camas Post Office, built in 1939 in Colonial Revival style, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991.