A year after the shutdown of the Westboro Post Office on Shrewsbury Avenue because of mold contamination, officials have set an estimated reopening date.
A postal service spokesman, George Flood, tells redbankgreen that the substation is expected to re-open by early March.
That would be a relief not only to West Siders, but to residents and business owners beyond Red Bank’s borders, in Fairview, River Plaza, northern Tinton Falls and elsewhere. Many were upset when the station was closed, and clamored for its quick reopening.
“The consensus is that the demand is there,” says Mayor-elect Pat Menna. “It was never a money-losing proposition for the post office.”
“In all candor, we thought we’d be open lot sooner,” says Flood. But the rebuilt station will be new “floor to ceiling,” he says, with access for handicapped customers, something the old storefront did not have.
New wood framing is now visible through the front window, and tradesmen have been working inside in recent days.
The facility will be staffed by two postal workers, Flood says.
How fungible is the March opening date? It’s not, says Flood. “It’s built into the contract” with the contractor, he says. “If not, there will be financial penalties. But we feel very confident in this contractor, and we really anticipate this will be done on time.”
As for tight parking and the difficulty pedestrians face getting across Shrewsbury Avenue, Flood says those are matters for the borough to address.
Menna is scheduled to meet with Red Bank Postmaster Scott Rosenberg on Dec. 6 to discuss the Shrewsbury Avenue facility and other matters.
The station was closed in November, 2005, after complaints by an employee about mold and mildew. The Hub had a story at the time.
