Salt Lake Air Mail Center to remain open; Ogden post office may close

The U.S. Postal Service will not consolidate the Salt Lake Air Mail Center, at least for now, as it continues its quest to remain an efficient, self-supporting independent federal agency.

However, Ogden's Town Station, 2730 Washington Blvd., is still under review and could be closed.

The Postal Service had listed almost 700 offices nationwide for possible closing but has now narrowed that number to 413. Currently the post office has about 37,000 retail outlets across the country.

Struggling with a sharp decline in mail volume caused by the recession and the movement of traditional mail to the Internet, postal officials say the agency could have a deficit as large as $7 billion this year.

Postal officials in Utah announced Wednesday that the Salt Lake Air Mail Center Station, 320 N. 3700 West, is no longer being considered for consolidation.

"Other operational consolidations are being considered with the Air Mail Center Station, so it will remain open at this time," said Postal Service marketing manager Robert Vunder.

The study considers many things, including impacts to customer access, employees, cost savings and service standards, along with reviews of the availability of alternate retail services, facility space and other operational items.

If the Ogden Town Station were to close, it would not occur until late this year, at the earliest. The public will have an opportunity to provide input before a final decision is made.

Contributing: The Associated Press