Matagorda residents say they're frustrated after 6-year stretch without post office

MATAGORDA, Texas (KTRK) -- The small community of Matagorda, down near the coast in Matagorda County, has been without a post office for about six years, and residents are fed up.

"They closed the post office that was in Matagorda, but they assured us that there would be a postal facility opening soon, so that's been the word that we've been getting for the last six years," resident Bill Gerstenberger said.

According to a U.S. Postal Service press release from April 2019, the former Matagorda post office would relocate after the lease on its former space expired.

Gerstenberger said once the lease ended, the community was left with nothing for years until a building was installed about a year ago. But as of today, the front door remains locked and the building empty.

Without an operating postal office in Matagorda, residents' only option for sending or picking up mail is to make the 20-mile round trip to the Wadsworth office.

"That's quite a big burden on a lot of the elderly residents in Matagorda, that they have to spend money to drive and get their mail. No one else in the county has to spend money to drive and get their mail," Gerstenberger said.

The community of Matagorda doesn't have home delivery, Gerstenberger said, leaving the drive to Wadsworth as the only option for sending bills or picking up packages.

"Today, I am getting a medication in the mail, so I've already gone to the post office to check and see if it's there, but it's not there. It assures me that it's going to be there today, and I need it. I need that medication, so I'm probably going to end up going back to the post office sometime today," Gerstenberger said.

Gerstenberger said he has tried contacting county, state, and federal officials, but so far, no one has been able to get the office open.

ABC13 reached out to county judge Bobby Seiferman, State Rep. Troy Nehls, and the U.S. Postal Service.

USPS responded but could only say that customers will be updated as progress is made. No timeline was given.

Friday, two electricians were at the new postal building in Matagorda. They said the opening has been held up by electrical issues, and the building should open its doors next week.

"Will it open next week? Will it?" Gerstenberger questioned.

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