Help Save Napa’s Historic Downtown Post Office!
The Franklin Station post office in downtown Napa is one of our community’s most treasured public buildings and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This unique, New Deal-era building represents an important piece of our collective history and is an art deco icon beloved for its period architecture, terra cotta frieze, imposing urn lanterns and interior artwork and detail. The building doesn’t just stand as a testament to a kind of fine craftsmanship no-longer practiced today – it was paid for by the public and reflects the collective pride people took in shaping public spaces to inspire and delight the senses. Now, against the wishes of the City of Napa and most citizens, the U.S. Postal Service is proposing to raze this National Register listed gem to the ground.
Unfortunately, many historic post offices across the country with rich architectural and artistic value are either threatened with demolition or are on the chopping block to be closed and sold. Napa County Landmarks would prefer the building be structurally retrofitted and restored to its original purpose – it should certainly NOT be demolished as part of any purported “cost-saving” measure. If the USPS cannot afford to restore the building, it should be offered as-is to someone with the financial means to do so. And if it is ultimately to be sold by the USPS, it should be repurposed for another use that is sensitive to its civic heritage and architectural features.
How can you help save the Napa Franklin Station post office from the wrecking ball?
1. Voice your opinion in favor of preservation today! Letters should go to: Julia Mates, TetraTech,1999 Harrison St., Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94612, or via email to: julia.mates@tetratech.com, phone 510-302-6300.
2. Join the National Trust for Historic Preservation and U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and send a message to Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan by clicking here.
3. Join Napa County Landmarks by becoming a member today and help us send a strong message that the community values this important piece of Napa’s heritage.
4. Stay abreast of latest developments and future preservation action alerts by joining and sharing the Facebook page: Save Our Historic Napa Post Office and visiting our website often!
UPDATE: September 23, 2015
Our message to the Post Office is – “I support keeping Postal Services at Franklin Station as a condition of its sale to a preservation-friendly buyer.”
Please mail your pre-addressed postcard, a personal letter, or personal postcard by Friday, September 25 to:
Dean Cameron
Real Estate Specialist – Implementation Team
1300 Evans Avenue, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94188-8200
Click Here for the Napa Valley Register Editorial in favor of sending this message!
UPDATE: September 10, 2015
We have pre-addressed postcards to send to the US Postal Service! Come by and pick up some cards at our office, 1754 Second St., Suite E (back of building). Deadline for mailing cards is September 25.
For more details, call 255-1836 or email us at info@napacountylandmarks.org. Also follow us on our Facebook page.
Read our press release here: savePO.pressrelease.final
UPDATE: JULY 24, 2015
Post office meeting:
Napa County Landmarks will host a public meeting to generate support for saving the Franklin Station post office on Monday, Aug. 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Napa County Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa.
Speakers include:
Harvey Smith – President of National New Deal Preservation Association and an expert on New Deal art. He is one of the early founders of Citizens to Save the Berkeley Post Office, which fought for their historic building and art for three years. He received a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, and he has worked as a union carpenter, public health worker, radio journalist, horse rancher, and public school teacher. He is the author of New Deal Berkeley (Arcadia Press, 2014) and Vice-President of the Living New Deal non-profit board of directors.
Jacquelyn McCormick – Executive Director, National Post Office Collaborate, a post office preservation group in Berkeley, California. She is a UCLA graduate and has lived in Berkeley for over 20 years. She is a small business owner and is passionate about her community and works hard at community building, government transparency fiscal responsibility and preservation of historic assets.
Click here for coverage in the Napa Valley Register.
UPDATE: JULY 17, 2015
SHPO says – “wait a minute!” on demolition of the Napa Post Office! Please write your letter to add to the record today!
Napa County Landmarks received a copy of the letter from The State Historic Preservation Officer, Julianne Polanco, regarding the proposed demolition of the Napa Post Office. It is an excellent letter, focusing on need for alternatives to demolition, information not provided on why this is necessary, and a need for a public hearing for the community to weigh in. Read the letter in its entirety: Proposed Demolition of Franklin- Napa Station, 1351 Second Street, Napa
