There is big news of a positive nature on our poor beleaguered post office on Park Road ("the old post office").  A new developer has struck a deal to take over design and construction of condos, ground floor retail and underground parking while preserving the historic parts of the structure–as required by its historic designation.  This is welcome news on several fronts–the last proposed design was not good, but especially because the building has been languishing for years and was in danger of suffering "demolition by neglect".

The new developer, Saris Regis, has engaged BAR Architects out of the city to start over from scratch and from what the press release on the deal says, it appears Lot E next door will be dedicated to a Town Square feature which downtown could really use.  It just doesn't show B'game in a good light to have, for instance, the First Friday bands playing under a tiny pergola on the Ave. with people stopping on the sidewalk for a song or two.

Saris Regis isn't known as simply a design and construction management firm, so my guess is there is another part of the story that would include an outright purchase that can be solidified as the project details — and the ensuing approvals — come to pass.  This is all good news and to the extent it has had several council members' attention and effort being expended to come up with a more B'game appropriate design, they are to be congratulated.

It's my practice to not criticize development project (too much) until they are finished so I'll withhold too much praise in the same vein, but this does look like positive news for B'game's core.