Bagdad Post Office re-opening uncertain
There is no re-opening scheduled for the Bagdad Post Office since a car crashed into the building on December 3rd.
Limited Postal Service retail sales are being conducting in a mobile unit in the parking lot while post office box holders continue to receive mail and packages.
“There is no timeframe to re-open,” said Bill Tyler, spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service. “Several contractors have assessed the building and provided estimates, but a contractor has not been hired.”
The building is privately owned and is leased by the U.S. Postal Service. The owners of the building are responsible for repairs, Tyler said.
“There are broken trusses and bent conduit,” he said. “There aren’t any definite plans yet to get back in the building.”
According to accident reports, the crash occurred when the driver attempted to park and missed the brake pedal, hitting the gas instead.
The car crashed into the front of the building, injuring a customer in the front lobby and causing an estimated $50,000 in damages, the Florida Highway Patrol reported in December. The car knocked down the glass-framed section of the front lobby and office where customers were standing.
“Until the building re-opens we will continue to do what we’ve been doing with the portable unit,” Tyler said.
The mobile unit can provide most services including mail outs and postage sales, but can not accept large packages, sell money orders, nor accept credit or debit cards.
The owners of the building were not available for comment on whether or not there are plans to install safety rails or high impact bollards in front of the building as a safeguard in the event of a crash.
Post office hours continue to be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays.