Customers Left in Limbo After Wall Collapse at North Tampa Postal Facility
Hillsborough County Residents Left in Limbo After Postal Facility Wall Collapse
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A month after a wall collapsed at a North Tampa U.S. Postal Service facility, dozens of customers of 1-800-Pack-Rat are still grappling with the fallout, as their belongings remain trapped in storage containers.
The postal service leases one side of the warehouse, while the other is occupied by 1-800-Pack-Rat, which uses the space to store moving containers. Emily Prior, a frustrated customer, expressed her dismay: “Nobody’s called us, nobody’s apologized, it’s always been me advocating for my family.”
Prior and her family had packed their belongings from their Pinellas County home, expecting them to arrive shortly after they moved to Ohio. Instead, they’ve been left without essential items for over a month. “My son has been sleeping on an air mattress and using a suitcase for clothes. It’s not comfortable living in an empty home,” she lamented.
The situation is similarly dire for Abbey and Garrett Steele, who recently moved within Riverview. “This was our moment,” Abbey said, referring to their first home with a yard. However, they too are without basic necessities, having to purchase a couch and other essentials due to the delay.
Both families report waiting for nearly a month, with no clear resolution in sight. “None of the workers can go inside the facility right now because it’s a safety hazard,” Garrett noted.
Safety Concerns and Delays
Hillsborough County officials have stated that inspectors have not barred anyone from entering the warehouse. Kevin Barbour, Chief Operating Officer of 1-800-Pack-Rat, confirmed that while their side of the building shows no apparent damage, there may still be structural issues. “Upwards of 100 customers have moving containers stuck,” he said, noting that the warehouse holds nearly 1,000 containers.
Construction crews are currently working on the site, and a building permit has been issued to brace the walls around the collapse. However, 1-800-Pack-Rat has yet to receive clearance from the building owners, Prologis, Inc., a Denver-based real estate company. “It’s not our decision,” Barbour explained.
Recent footage captured by ABC Action News showed employees navigating caution tape to access the warehouse, raising questions about safety protocols. Barbour clarified that they have limited access for essential tasks, such as moving containers for inspections.
Investigation and Accountability
The cause of the wall collapse remains unclear, as Hillsborough County officials have stated that it is up to the building owner to investigate. Prologis has not provided details about the ongoing forensic engineering investigation, nor has it addressed the safety of the remaining structure.
As families like the Priors and Steeles wait for their belongings, they face mounting costs. “What is anyone actually doing to make progress and get into the building?” Prior questioned. Both families have had to purchase basic items and claim they have not received any compensation from 1-800-Pack-Rat.
Barbour stated that discussions about compensation will occur once the containers are delivered. “We’re committed to making the customer whole, but we don’t know what that looks like yet,” he said.
As the investigation continues and families remain in limbo, the hope for a swift resolution hangs in the balance.