Mark E. Karolczyk Joins AUSPL as Director of Operations

We are excited to welcome Mark Karolczyk as Director of Operations at AUSPL headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mark, a practicing real estate attorney for more than 30 years, brings a wealth of experience in postal leasing and lease negotiation. “Mark has a long history of successfully dealing with USPS leases, and brings a higher level…

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Environmental Risk Management Tips for Post Office Properties

For owners of post office properties, potential risks of environmental liability relating to real estate portfolios may not have been a concern historically. However, in the context of widespread changes occurring within the Postal Service, it has become increasingly important for owners to properly implement and manage environmental due diligence policies and procedures with respect…

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USPS Office of Inspector General: Semiannual Report to Congress

The Office of  Inspector General is tasked with ensuring efficiency, accountability, and integrity in the U.S. Postal Service. It’s mission is to help maintain confidence in the mail and postal system as well as improve the USPS bottom line. The OIG uses audits and investigations to help protect the integrity of the Postal Service. Read…

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What’s the Difference between Housekeeping and Maintenance?

It’s important to read and understand the maintenance rider in your lease. Lessors sometimes find the distinction between “housekeeping” and “maintenance” ambiguous. Here are several items that are considered housekeeping rather than maintenance: 1. Snow removal* 2. Grass cutting 3. Window washing 4. Floor waxing 5. Carpet cleaning The above items are generally USPS responsibility…

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Cutting Back Mail Delivery

H.R. 4670 Secure Delivery for America Act of 2014 The Essentials 1. For three years, Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has tried to sell his colleagues on a comprehensive postal reform bill. His rescue plan for the money-losing U.S. Postal Service includes ending Saturday letter delivery, closing some post offices, and consolidating the agency’s sprawling distribution…

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Second Annual Hill Day: June 11-12, 2014

We’re looking forward to our second annual “Hill Day” in Washington, D.C. this month. More than three dozen AUSPL members and several board members will be meeting with Senators and Representatives to discuss the value of the leasing program to the Postal Service.

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Congressman Darrell Issa Introduces Administration’s Postal Reform Act of 2014

Chairman Issa has introduced a new postal reform bill that is mostly aligned to the President’s plan to reform the Postal Service. The summary below includes the proposed provisions that are being discussed. We are watching the process as it unfolds and continue to work with our lessor champions in the Congress. y041014_-_Issas_Legislation_on_the_Presidents_FY_15_Budget_Proposal_(edited)

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Rep. Darrell Issa Introduces Postal Reform Bill for Discusison

Chairman Issa has introduced a new postal reform bill that is mostly aligned to the President’s plan to reform the Postal Service. The summary below includes the proposed provisions that are being discussed. We are watching the process as it unfolds and continue to work with our lessor champions in the Congress.   Read it…

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Site Maintenance Responsibilities

by Karen Delamore of DRE Consulting This article mainly applies to post office facilities that are single tenant buildings and sites. In most cases, the Postal Service is responsible to provide custodial services for the grounds; however, your lease may include other provisions that are outside of the scope of this article or your lease may…

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Postal Reform Update

We have been educating Members of Congress about the benefits of the postal leasing program to the Postal Service. Today, we have legislative champions in both the House and Senate who we can count on to be sympathetic to our causes and issues. We will continue to work diligently with legislators and ask them to…

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