New site for Watford City Post Office chosen

By Jack Dura
Farmer Staff Writer

Designs are underway for the new location of the Watford City Post Office.
The post office is in the process of relocating and expanding to new facilities at 1204 Fourth St. NE, the U.S. Postal Service said in a news release. The new location looks to open in the spring of 2017 following construction.
The post office’s current location at 212 Second St. NE is 4,290 square feet while the new location, where  S & S Motors is now, has approximately 9,000 square feet.
This new location is capable of housing three service counters, 10 delivery routes and 2,976 boxes and parcel lockers, the news release said.
“This new post office is another example of our commitment to ensuring the residents and businesses of the Bakken region are well-served,” acting Dakotas district manager Doug Stephens said last August.
The decision to relocate came in August 2015, after which the post office solicited bids and signed a lease for the Fourth Street location.
The post office anticipates awarding a bid for construction before the end of this summer.
Brent Sanford, S & S Motors owner and NDGOP lieutenant governor candidate, is already transitioning the dealership’s business.
Longtime employee Ryan Hansen is taking the operation’s services aspects to a separate shop about a half-mile north of S & S Motors’ current location.
Sanford will retain the dealership license and take sales north as well. He said someday he hopes to return sales to Main Street in downtown Watford City.
Current hours and services will continue at the Second Street post office until the new location is open.