Reno post office closing after 78 years of service

RENO - Reno's downtown post office is closing its doors next week after 78 years of service.

The historic art deco building along the Truckee River will close Dec. 28 so developers can begin to turn it into high-end retail stores and offices.

The Reno Redevelopment Agency bought the old building from the federal government for $1.25 million earlier this year and sold it to a group of developers for the same price. Additional work to deal with things such as asbestos removal and a leaky roof is expected to cost $5 million.

Before any changes can be made, the group that is also doing work south of downtown must get approval from the State Historical Preservation Office and the redevelopment agency.

The new downtown post office location on North Sierra Street opens Dec. 31.