Coralville post office moving this weekend

CORALVILLE - Despite objections from city officials, the Coralville post office Saturday will move to a new location.

The U.S. Postal Service announced Tuesday that its 10th Avenue branch will permanently close at 5 p.m. Friday, with services shifting to a renovated location at 2150 James St. starting Saturday morning.

Coralville leaders spoke against the move when it was proposed a year ago, saying James Street was less convenient for residents and businesses. The buildings are about one mile apart, but 10th Avenue is more in the heart of town whereas James Street is across Second Street, which has heavy traffic, in an industrial zone on the southern edge of town.

City leaders appealed the decision but said they doubted the Postal Service would change its mind.

The decision was driven by economics, postal officials said. The agency reported a $1.9 billion loss in the second quarter of this fiscal year.

It rents the 10th Avenue building but owns the James Street property, which had been a Postal Service annex.

The Postal Service also plans to relocate its main Iowa City branch from near downtown to the Pepperwood Plaza retail area off Highway 6 on the south side of town. As in Coralville, Iowa City officials have expressed concerns about moving from the center of the city.

Postal Service spokeswoman Stacy St. John said the agency just completed the lease on the property but does not have a timeline for moving.

The public is invited to a grand-opening ceremony at the new Coralville branch at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

l Comments: (319) 339-3175; gregg.hennigan@thegazette.com