Quite some time ago, I noticed the outside of the post office in the town of Stuart was looking a little run down. I finally mentioned something to one of the workers at the site and was told there had been several requisitions put in for funds to maintain the building, but no luck obtaining the funds.
I then went online and sent an email to USPS.com with my concerns. About five days later, I received a call from the postmaster at the Stuart location. It was a very polite, but not productive conversation. I was once again informed that requests had been made for funds but with no luck.
I then mentioned to the postmaster that there was no handicapped access to the building. I was told that the building in question was deemed a historical landmark. After doing research, I learned the building was built in 1941. I also learned that any public building that was built after 1922 is supposed to have handicapped access. If the building is protected from being made handicapped accessible because it is a historical landmark, that is a poor excuse to avoid handicapped access, in my opinion.
And if it is considered a historical landmark, isn’t it supposed to be maintained to preserve the building’s structural integrity? Paint is peeling, which will cause rot to the wood facing. Concrete is chipping and cracking on the steps and walkway.
I’m not sure, but I would think that the courthouse, which is right across the street and built in 1822, would be more of a landmark than the post office. The courthouse has been reconstructed and maintained to beautify and preserve its place in history.
John Motley
