The finishing touches for the Palisades Post Office’s move back to 15243 La Cruz Dr. took place over the weekend, and the remodeled post office annex reopened Monday morning.
“I think it’ll be better,” Postmaster Charles Hearne told the Palisadian-Post.
In April, the United States Postal Service announced the Palisades post office at 15209 Sunset Boulevard was relocating back to the post office annex where it was originally located. The post office moved to Sunset Blvd. in 1998.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Phtoographer
The combined post office and annex has new hours (see “New Post Office Hours” box). The space has a remodeled lobby and countertops, and all 884 P.O. boxes were relocated. Hearne said all residents’ P.O. boxes kept the same number and key.
Hearne, who’s been the community’s postmaster since 2012, noted there was a delay in the arrival of new floor tiles, which should arrive around mid-August.
The arrival will prompt one Saturday closure, for which Hearne apologizes to the public. The previous floor tiles have been in place since 1959.
“We’ll have a dedicated window with a Dutch door,” Hearne said. “It’ll help speed up the line. My mission is to move the customers so they’re waiting no longer than five minutes.”
Dramatic decreases in mail volume and other economic factors are causing massive revenue losses for the USPS. In fact, the USPS is losing $8.7 billion annually. The Palisades relocation is part of a national response to operate more efficiently while maintaining service.
Hearne noted that combining the annex with the post office will provide an approximate $1.7 million cost savings over 10 years, or approximately $175,000 a year.
According to the postmaster, the Palisades post office is short-staffed with just 41 employees, but he said he’s maximizing their time.
Hearne started working as a clerk in the USPS Los Angeles district 25 years ago and was most recently postmaster in Manhattan Beach before coming to the Palisades.
“I love the weather, and I love the community,” Hearne said of the Palisades. “The customers are very pleasant and patient to deal with. We’re in a good location.”
NEW POST OFFICE HOURS
M-F: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sat.: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sun.: Closed
P.O. Box Area: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
