Albion residents fed up and frustrated over post office timeline

(WJAR) — People in the Albion village of Lincoln are demanding answers to why they still don't have a new post office, nearly three years after it burned down.

At least 500 people in Albion don't have mailboxes, which means they've been forced to drive to the Post Office in Manville to get their mail, which is nearly 2-miles away.

Suzanne Vierra of Albion said it's inconvenient and time-consuming: "I have to go at least twice a week. I would go more if it was right across the street. If we're waiting for something specific, I'll actually have to go daily, which takes a lot of time."

Vierra told NBC 10 News when it comes to the rebuilding process, residents have been left in the dark.

NBC 10 called the landlord to get answers.

He wouldn't go on camera, but told us the project is complicated because the post office is part of a multi-use building.

He said it took about a year just to secure permits and settle with insurance.

The landlord also told NBC 10 he didn't realize how much rebuilding a post office entailed. He initially hired a general contractor, then later realized they need a contractor that specializes in post office design.

The general contractor of the project said they just hired someone this week that can finish the project, hopefully within a few months.

For Lincoln City Councilor Pamela Azar it's too little too late.

"That brings us into December and the snow. I'd like to see a truck coming in and do door-to-door mail delivery immediately because we can't wait two more months," she said.

The general contractor told NBC 10 he would have never taken the job if he knew the post office was part of it.