USPS signals progress on new post office in Niland

NILAND, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Nearly four years after a fire destroyed the Niland post office, residents may finally be seeing concrete steps toward restoring service.

The post office burned down in February 2022. At the time, the United States Postal Service said the closure would be temporary and directed customers to pick up their mail in nearby Calipatria.

This week, USPS issued a press release announcing its final decision to relocate the Niland Post Office to 218 E. 1st Street in Niland. The agency said the relocation is necessary because the previous facility was rendered unusable by the 2022 fire. The decision was issued in accordance with federal regulations.

USPS said it is finalizing plans to acquire the property but did not provide a timeline for when the new facility will open.

For residents, the update brings cautious optimism.

“Well, it’s one of those things..if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, we’re not going to stress it,” said Catherine Cobb, a Niland resident.

In the meantime, customers continue to travel to Calipatria or rely on a mobile postal unit operating in town.

Local business owner Vicky Hernandez, who runs Buckshot restaurant in Niland, said limited pickup hours can be difficult to manage.

“Mail pickup is Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For me, that’s the busiest time of day,” Hernandez said. “By the time we remember to go get the mail, they’ve already left.”

Residents from nearby communities, including Slab City, also depend on the temporary service. Blanche Benevides, who lives in Slab City, said she sometimes walks miles to check her mail.

“It’s better than not having any,” Benevides said.

USPS says it remains committed to restoring permanent service in Niland. For now, however, residents are still waiting for a confirmed timeline on when the new location will open.