Chris Helms
The Jamaica Plain Post Office, 655 Centre St., on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015.
The United States Post Office confirmed Thursday that it has agreed to a new lease to remain at 655 Centre St. The Post Office and landlord had been at loggerheads over a new deal, and the process to move the facility elsewhere had already begun.
Rumors of a deal to keep the busy post office where it is have been swirling for weeks in JP.
"I can confirm that we will remain in the facility and that a lease has been signed," wrote Maureen Marion, a spokesperson for the USPS.
Marion later clarified that the actual signing of the lease was scheduled for Friday.
The terms of the lease would keep the USPS in the building for "at least a decade," according to Marion.
There had been speculation about whether the Post Office might remain but shrink its footprint. Marion said the Post Office will continue to have possession of the full facility. She said the lease costs are not yet being made public.
As first reported by Jamaica Plain News, postal officials set in motion the process to move the JP Post Office after they were unable to come to terms with the landlord on a new lease.
In late January, elected officials sent a letter urging a resolution.
“After having conversations with both Mike Powers from the United States Post Office and Robert Schlager of Bulfinch Properties,” read part of the letter, “we are deeply concerned about the lack of communication and conflicting stories being expressed by all parties.”
City Councilor Matt O’Malley signed the letter along with State Representatives Liz Malia, D-Jamaica Plain, and Jeffrey Sánchez, D-Boston, and State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz.
The latest property valuations put the 11,644 square foot parcel at $529,070 for land and $1,564,678 for the building.
The busy facility is named for Marine Lance Cpl. Alex Arredondo, who was killed in Iraq in 2004.
[Editor's note: We've updated this item with further details from the USPS.]
Previous coverage on Jamaica Plain News:
O’Malley ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Post Office Will Stay Where It Is
Read the letter from JP elected officials urging P.O. to stay
Read the letter from the USPS to the mayor about the possible move.