Playing post office

The announcement that the U.S. Postal Service plans to move back to its former location on North Frederick Street in Cape Girardeau came as a mixed blessing.

Cape Girardeans have been saddled with a temporary post office on Christine Street for a year while the postal service and the owner of the Frederick Street building negotiated over roof repairs the tenant claimed needed to be made. The Christine Street site is difficult to get to and has little public parking.

The postal service finally decided to buy the building on Frederick Street and make the renovations itself. It plans to be back in the old building by September.

But similar criticisms could be leveled at the old post office site. There is little public parking, and Frederick Street is out of the way for much of the city's population.

Many, including Mayor Jay Knudtson, had hoped the Postal Service would use this opportunity to move its operations to a more central location. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson appealed for a move on behalf of the city. Ultimately, cost was the deciding factor.

That decision may have been short-sighted, but having the old post office on Frederick Street back in operation will still be better for the city than the current situation.