MT. VERNON (WSIL) -- City leaders in Mt. Vernon were feeling pretty good Wednesday morning as they toured their new Post Office, which is set to open in two weeks.
With crews putting the finishing touches on the new Mt Vernon Post Office inside, the last big item on the punch-list is the parking lot outside.
"We decided in August to go ahead and resurface the parking lot, so we have a new building, new parking lot and everything's completed and ready for the grand opening," says City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel. She joined members of the city council and staff for a tour of the new facility Wednesday.
Council member Joe Gliosci says the new location works with other improvement projects in the neighborhood.
"Long time coming for this project, so, when you get to the end, you sigh of relief that it all went well, and it looks fantastic," says Gliosci. "I think we've gotten a lot of good feedback from the citizens of Mt. Vernon about the project as well. That's what we're here for, we want to make people happy and be proud to live in the community."
The project is coming in on budget just near $1 million, and on time. The new facility offers approximately the same 6,200 square footage as the old building, but with a "more spacious" floor-plan.
Mt. Vernon assistant city manager Nathan McKenna says the Post Master and his employees are looking forward to moving in, adding that, "Right now they're in a building with a leaky roof, they're the only tenant in a condemned shopping center."
The new downtown location on the corner of 10th and Jordan was previously a parking lot already owned by the city in an area they want to keep improving, says Gliosci, adding, "When you see the activity that it brings to this area, and the feel-good situation it brings as well, it makes you feel good about living in Mt. Vernon."
"It's going to be good," says Bechtel. "It's going to be good on all counts, the property we're leaving is going to be redeveloped, and then we have new post office here."
The city is leasing the building to the federal government once opened.
