Mail drive-thru on Saipan mulled By ALDWIN R. FAJARDO

The U.S. Postal Service is planning to introduce a new post office service on Saipan, similar to what is now available in the mainland, according to CNMI Postmaster John San Nicolas.

Mr. San Nicolas pointed out, however, that the setting up of the mail drive-thru service depends on whether the U.S. Postal Service will be able to strike a deal with the government for additional land in Chalan Kanoa.

He explained that the proposed mail-drive thru would require additional space, adding that the current property in Chalan Kanoa, which houses the $2.8 million new post office, is not big enough to accommodate the service.

“Mail drive-thru is part of our overall plan but because the place [in Chalan Kanoa] is so small, putting up a drive thru would eventually bring about traffic congestion,” he added.

While the current facility can accommodate 38 vehicles for customers and employees, including three parking stalls for handicaps, Mr. San Nicolas said a drive-thru within the existing land area would clog traffic flow.

The $2.8 million facility, which has a floor area of 13,564 square-foot and includes 5,900 post office boxes, was completed December last year.

The building is equipped with vending machines for express and priority mails and stamps, as well as a state-of-the-art sensor lights, a motion sensor alarm, a fire alarm, smoke detector and a self-sustaining generator.

Mr. San Nicolas said putting up a mail drive-thru is more likely to push through if the post office will be able to get the property across the existing Chalan Kanoa facility.
“…if we are able to get the property across the post office, we will be able to expand. But putting one here would cause traffic congestion,” he told reporters.

Aside from the mail drive-thru, the U.S. Postal Service is also eyeing home delivery of letters and other consignment, although this largely depends on how fast the Commonwealth government will be able to complete putting up street names and signs.

Mr. San Nicolas said the Postal Service is already coordinating with the CNMI government and the U.S. Consular Office on Saipan for the eventual delivery of mails once local streets are named.

He pointed out that making mail delivery services available in the islands is part of the plan of the U.S. Postal Services since it began negotiating for the Chalan Kanoa property.