Benton Courier - Bryant post office to get renovation

Debbie Broadway, who headed up a committee for a new postal facility in Bryant, and Bryant Mayor Larry Mitchell show renderings of plans to completely redesign the current postal facility. The U.S. Postal Service announced Friday that a financial commitment of up to $650,000 will be spent on the redesign. From left, in front, are Broadway, Jeffery Taylor, district manager for the U.S. Postal Service of Arkansas, and Mitchell; back row, Bryant Aldermen Rick Meyer, Chris Tipton, Steve Gladden and Danny Steele. (Courier photo by Matt Burks)

Officials of the U.S. Postal Service announced Friday in front of the Bryant post office that that a financial commitment of up to $650,000 will be spent to completely redesign the current Bryant postal facility. Jeffery Taylor, district manager for the U.S. Postal Service of Arkansas, said that Postal Service project managers and architects, in cooperation with a Little Rock architectural firm, have developed plans to dramatically redesign the current Bryant facility. The renovations are expected to be completed in late spring of 2008. “This is one of the days I like to come to work because I get to bring good news to a good community,” Taylor said. Local Saline County leaders and residents alike cheered on the latest developments brought to the city by Taylor in what was for many years deemed as a never-ending saga in getting a new postal facility. After many years of voicing their opinions to the U.S. Postal Service, local leaders and other residents feel as if a goal has been accomplished and that their willingness to not give up finally netted needed results.
“We heard you,” Taylor said to the crowd. “The message was loud and clear. It was effectively sent, and it was received.”
Bryant Mayor Larry Mitchell also expressed pleasure as he commented to the crowd gathered at the postal facility. “I would like to thank Debbie Broadway for heading up the committee and Rick Meyer for working his rear end off to get to this point today and, especially, besides the congressional people, the citizens of Bryant,” Mitchell said. “Because without you all writing those letters, filling out those questionnaires, sending them back and making those telephone calls ... this probably would have never taken place.” Broadway, who headed up the committee for a new postal facility, also expressed her appreciation to Bryant residents for their work. “I want to stress to the citizens of Bryant that this is all about you and for you because you made this happen,” said Broadway. “These council members listened to us, they took action on what we needed to have happen and then we all pursued it as a team to make some things work. We just watched democracy at its best ... when we all talk in the same voice... we’re heard. Thank you all.”
In a press release from Taylor’s office, it noted that plans include:
•A complete revision of the parking lot and the traffic flow around the building. This will include a total of 26 parking spaces, including two ADA-accessible parking spaces. All traffic will enter the facility through a single entrance off Reynolds Road. The curb along Reynolds Road will be extended to block the existing driveway adjacent to Roya Lane and only allow right turns onto Reynolds. This will simplify access to the facility and will minimize congestion at the intersection of Roya and Reynolds. A new exit lane will be constructed behind the post office and the drop box lane will be widened and the exit onto Roya will be redesigned to make it easier for vehicles to turn right or left onto Roya.
•A total reconstruction of the public spaces inside the building. An expanded box section will be relocated to the south side of the building and a new entrance will be added to make the box section readily accessible to the new parking area south of the building. The customer service lobby will be relocated to the north side of the building, making entrance access more convenient. The new customer box lobby on the south side will be considerably larger than the existing lobby and will have the latest fixtures, equipment and signage. The public spaces will have completely new lighting and new finishes throughout, including the ceilings and floor tile.
•A complete redesign of the exterior of the building to improve visibility and curb appeal. The building will have large new windows to brighten and “open up” the interior of the building. The parapet around the building will be raised and topped with an ornamental cornice to increase the height of the building, to make it more visible from the street and to enhance visual appeal. A new canopy will be installed across the east (front) and south sides of the building. This canopy will not only be ornamental, but will protect the public from the rain as they enter and exit the building. New lighting will provide improved security and will enhance the appearance of the building at night. New landscaping touches will be added to accent the appearance of the redesigned building.
“These aren’t just cosmetic changes to this facility, but a complete redesign of this facility that’s here,” Taylor said. “Also, we are going to be doing a complete redesign of the traffic flow to address the concerns of the community. This is going to be a major project ... and were are going to be moving very quickly on this project. I believe this will be a facility that you can be proud of ... it is going to be an up-and-coming facility for an up-and-coming community. I want to say thank you to the citizens of Bryant, Congressman Vic Synder, Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Sen. Mark Pryor. I believe you all will be happy with the results.”
Taylor told the crowd that the renderings for the redesign of the postal facility will be placed inside the current facility for viewing. A new contract postal unit at Complete Wireless at 3108 Horizon Drive has recently opened to provide customers another option for convenient retail services.

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