Richmond's main post office shut down due to mold

RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- A mold problem has shut down the main U.S. Post Office in the city of Richmond. It's an 80-year-old building that was built in 1938 and it looks pristine on the outside. Still, there is a health hazard that needs to be cleaned up before it can be reopened.

One by one, potential customers approached the front entrance of Richmond's main post office, only to find it locked up tight.

"The post office is closed. I was trying to check my P.O. box and go to work," Shannon Smith of Richmond said.

The problem is mold that was found in the basement of the 1930's art deco building. It's is something the postal service determined needed to be cleaned up, immediately. Left unchecked, mold can cause health problems, even death in extreme cases.

Lara Behrmann of Richmond said she hoped clean-up crews do a good job getting rid of the mold.

In the meantime, customers were directed to two other nearby postal facilities to pick up their mail, buy stamps or apply for a passport.

"Oh well, so I guess I'm going to have to go to find another post office. It's inconvenient, but what can I do?" Julio Blandon of Richmond said, who agreed he would rather the mold be cleaned up.

The work is expected to be finished and the historic building re-opened sometime next week.