City of Chelan makes progress on indoor post office location

CHELAN — The city of Chelan says it has made progress toward securing a permanent indoor location for the Chelan Post Office after the mail center operated out of a temporary mobile unit for the majority of the year.

The city has utilized the mobile postal unit since March while the original post office building undergoes renovations. The city says collaboration between local, state and federal partners has renewed in recent weeks.

Postmaster Randy Kopel and Mayor Erin McCardle have identified a new, unspecified location downtown, according to a press release.

“We’re very encouraged to see real movement toward a solution that serves both our residents and our hardworking postal employees,” McCardle said in the release.

The city credited U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, WA-8, with accelerating the review and leasing process for the new site. Schrier recently visited Chelan to meet with Kopel and U.S. Postal Service employees.

“Reliable, accessible postal service is essential for every community,” Schrier said. “I’m encouraged to see the USPS taking important steps toward a new building location, and I’ll continue working to make sure this process stays on track. Time is of the essence, as inclement weather is just around the corner.”

The city will share more information as timelines are finalized.