Albany's downtown post office is expected to remain open after the U.S. Postal Service signed a year-lease.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, of Columbus, praised the news Thursday in a statement, calling it "welcome news to the businesses and residents of Albany that rely on our downtown post office."

The U.S. Postal Service had proposed shutting down the Albany post office on Broad Avenue as it deals with severe financial challenges. Community leaders and residents had protested the move, saying it would have a detrimental effect on downtown Albany and surrounding neighborhoods.

Bishop hosted a meeting in March between community leaders and representatives of the U.S. Postal Service.

Tags: Albany, Sanford Bishop, post office closings, historic post office