The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Feeney: Post office to change its address to former Polly's store
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: July 24, 2008
Putting to rest longstanding persistent rumors, Chelsea Mayor Ann Feeney publicly announced that the Chelsea post office is relocating to the former home of Polly's Country Market.
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Feeney made the pronouncement during the July 8 City Council meeting.
"The Chicago (regional) post office people assured me that they were making good progress with Polly's and architects were working on drawings," Feeney said.
"The Post Office is taking only part of the space, however; (Polly's spokesman) Sean Kennedy said they would have to break that up to make it more marketable."
Feeney's public statement clears up a lot of confusion and speculation surrounding the long-vacant property at Old US-12 and South Main Street.
The Jackson-based supermarket moved from its anchor spot in the Village Plaza into the former Farmer Jack grocery store about a half-mile down the road a couple of years ago.
Chelsea Postmaster Ted Duve could not be reached for comment.
Polly's spokesman Sean Kennedy confirmed Feeney's assessment, but with reservations.
"They've already spent a bunch of money; I think they're coming, I hope they're coming," Kennedy said.
He also confirmed that the post office had signed up for about 6,000 of the 30,000 square feet available.
"I met with their engineer and contracting agent; I told them as soon as we get the lease signed you can go ahead and go at it," he said.
"They're going to do the lion's share of the work to get it ready."
Kennedy said working with postal officials to finalize the agreement was "frustrating."
"It's frustrating - I think they're moving, but I don't have a signed lease," he said.
In other council business:
The July 8 meeting also afforded a first reading of Sewer Bond Ordinance No. 157, to continue the bond approval process for obtaining up to $11 million in financing from the state's ultra-low-interest Sewer Revolving Fund.
"(The ordinance) authorizes us to raise the money for improvements to the system," said City Manager John Hanifan.
The ordinance authorizes up to $11 million in bond funding for improvement and expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), but it also specifies the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will have final say on the actual amount.
"Codifying this as part of our municipal laws is required by the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority," Hanifan said, explaining the need for such an ordinance.
The council can repeal the ordinance at the end of the 20-year life of the bond, he added.
A second reading and council vote was expected at Tuesday's regular City Council meeting, and a special meeting was set for 7 p.m. Aug. 5 to review and award the Wastewater Treatment Plant project construction bids.
Also expected at Tuesday's meeting was a decision to accept or reject a draft version of the city's Master Plan.
The city Planning Commission approved the proposed document on May 20.
In his City Manager's Report, Hanifan said the next town hall meeting will take place at 7 p.m. this Tuesday.
Among the topics to be discussed are review of the new video coverage of city meetings, the progress of the Veterans' Park bridge over Lett's Creek, and a review of the WWTP project.
"I think it's appropriate that we meet with citizens one more time for final input," Hanifan noted.
He also wanted to give recognition for the team effort shown in cleaning up after the severe storm on July 2, not only for all the city workers involved but also for the restaurants that provided food and drinks for them.
"As city manager it was one of the best moments I've had here," Hanifan said. "Talk about everybody in the community pitching in."
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