The City of Renton has had discussions with the U.S. Postal Service about the future of the Post Office branch downtown, including the possibility the branch could close.

Alex Pietsch, administrator of the city’s Community and Economic Development Department, said the Postal Service is considering some changes in regional services. Nothing definitive is known, but Pietsch said possible changes to the branch on Williams Avenue are “in play, at least.”

If the downtown branch should close, Pietsch said the Postal Service indicated it would maintain a location for retail mail services downtown, along with Post Office boxes.

The main Renton Post Office, which is relatively new, is in the Highlands on Northeast Fourth Street. Pietsch said he understands the main branch would have space to accommodate any postal operations that now occur at the downtown branch.

The Post Office is one of the anchors for downtown, according to Pietsch.

“Clearly, the Post Office is one of the reasons people come to downtown Renton,” he said. However, on a positive note, the Postal Service indicated it would have the retail presence still, he said.

Plus there’s the building itself, an historic – and unique – part of downtown, he said.

“The structure may have some historic preservation value,” he said.

The Postal Service also has a branch in the Cascade Shopping Center.

Pietsch said no timeline has been mentioned by the Postal Service to make changes downtown. However, if changes are proposed, the public will have a chance to comment, he said.