City Might Buy, Redevelop Old Pine Street Post Office

The city is considering purchasing former post office property on Pine Street for a redevelopment project, and will hear public comment on the proposal Monday.

The former Los Alamitos Post Office, on Pine Street north of Katella Avenue, closed in 1995. The property has been offered for sale since then but has generated little interest, city officials said.

Purchasing the property makes sense, Councilman Charles E. Sylvia said, because the city already owns other property in the area and can solicit private developers to build retail shops.

“I think it’s a viable” purchase, Sylvia said. “We own all the rest of the property on that block, and I think the bigger piece of property you own, the more buyers you can attract.”

In addition, he noted, the building has become the target of graffiti and other vandalism.

The city has been looking to revitalize its retail base, since overall sales have fallen since the 1980s--from $86 million a year in 1987 to a current $51 million a year. The slump has also brought a decline in city revenue.

City staff have met with retailers interested in the post office property, officials said, and projections show the city could expect to gain an additional $50,000 a year in sales tax revenue.

Officials did not disclose a possible purchase price for the land.

The City Council will hear public comment on the plan at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers, 3191 Katella Ave.