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62 Mich. Post Offices Could Close After Study

DETROIT (WWJ) - Ten post offices in Detroit along with post offices in Ferndale, Highland Park and Pontiac are on a study list as the U.S. Postal Service looks to close offices across the country. All totaled in Michigan, 62 post offices are on the study list.

The Detroit offices on the list include Kensington, Livernois, Renaissance Center, Springwells, Brightmoor, Fenkell, Joyfield, Northwestern, Seven Oaks and Strathmoor.

As more customers choose to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phones and at their favorite shopping destinations, the need for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its nearly 32,000 retail offices — the largest retail network in the country — diminishes.

To that end, the U.S. Postal Service announced that it will be taking the next step in right-sizing its expansive retail network by conducting studies of approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Detroit Postal District communications manager Ed Moore.

"We're looking at consolidating some offices, closing some offices -- just about everything possible that we can do that affects our bottom line, just so that we can remain viable for the future," Moore said.

Losses of more than $8 billion last year alone has left the postal service with no other choice but to close offices.

"Today, more than 35 percent of the Postal Service's retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains, self-service kiosks, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7," Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said in a release. "Our customer's habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business."

Donahoe also said the Postal Service of the future will be smaller, leaner and more competitive.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Community meetings will be held to gather public input before any actual closures take place.

To view the complete list of Michigan offices included in the study, click here.

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