Getting into and out of the Columbus Post Office has become more complicated and will stay that way for the next few months.
The post office at 450 Jackson St. is undergoing a total roof renovation, which means construction tools and other equipment are being stored in the facility’s parking lot, postmaster Terri Muir said.
While the construction project continues, it is unsafe for drivers to park their vehicles in the post office lot, Muir said.
“We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers. But during the construction, our parking lot is unavailable,” she said.
Some residents are choosing to park illegally along yellow-painted curbs or in front of fire hydrants, which can create safety or legal issues, said Lisa Williams, a parking enforcement clerk for the Columbus Police Department.
“It’s been quite the nightmare,” she said.
However, there are free or inexpensive alternatives to parking in the post office lot, Williams said.
The Jackson Street Parking Garage, across the street from the post office, has free access for up to an hour. After that, it costs $1 to park in the garage from one to three hours.
Additionally, free three-hour street parking is available as long as cars are not parked in marked no-parking zones.
Williams said she has already had to write tickets to parking violators. The first infraction results in a warning, but after that residents will be given a $40 ticket.
“You’re better off to pay a buck, or to pay nothing, and to park over in the garage,” she said.
Post office services also are available outside the downtown area — located inside the Pawn Shop at 1637 N. National Road, where parking isn’t an issue. It is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Jackson Street Parking Garage
- Corner of Fourth and Jackson streets
- Up to 1 hour: free
- 1-3 hours: $1
- 3-5 hours: $2
Street parking along Jackson Street
- Free
- Not along yellow curbs, in front of fire hydrants
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