After Nearly Closing In October, Cortez Post Office Saved, Lease Extended 5 Years: USPS

CORTEZ, FL — Once poised to close, the historic Cortez Post Office at 12112 44th Ave. W. has been saved.

Its lease has been extended another five years, according to a statement from the United States Postal Service. The new lease runs until July 31, 2026.

“As a self-supporting government entity (not generally funded by taxpayer dollars), the Postal Service values its place in the communities we serve at our Post Offices, Stations, and Branches throughout the nation,” David Walton, a USPS spokesperson, said.

Postal service in Cortez was established in 1888. The USPS has been serving the fishing village from its current location since 1957.

An eviction noticed was filed against the Cortez Post Office earlier this year after its previous lease expired, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said in a news release.

He wrote to the USPS to share his concerns about the Cortez Post Office’s closure and the strain it would place on residents.

“My constituents, many of whom are elderly, would have to cross the bridge in heavy traffic to Bradenton Beach or travel more than five miles to the next closest post office,” Buchanan wrote. “Furthermore, they say there is no carrier delivery in the area served by this post office.”

The post office was set to close by Oct. 22 but was able to reach a temporary agreement with the landlord and remain open.

The new lease was secured after the USPS agreed to include the landlord, John Banyas, in its insurance plan for the property, according to the Anna Maria Islander.

He made this request because he was sued in 2020 after a flagpole fell and injured a man. Banyas argued that the flagpole fell because the USPS failed to properly maintain it, reports said.

Initially, Postal Service wouldn’t add him to its insurance, which led to its lease not being renewed earlier this year.