A proposal to construct a new Sylva post office near Mill Street would aid a Sylva Partners in Renewal downtown revitalization project, as developers say they’re willing to put $60,000 toward building a community pavilion in exchange for cooperation from the town.

Developers Chuck Baker and Jimmy Anderson of Parsell Development Co. want to build a new, larger Sylva post office on a downtown tract between Poteet Park and Mill Street. Colloquially known as the Jim Gray lot, the vacant site has been considered for other projects — such as the new Jackson County library — but was determined to be too expensive.

However, the cost of the land — and the fact that it is smaller than what the U.S. Postal Service has called for — could be defrayed by an agreement to buy or lease .37 acres of the town’s adjacent public parking lot.

SPIR wants a community pavilion to go in near the site, which would provide a place for live music, picnics and other events, as well as connect with Poteet Park via a bridge over Scotts Creek. The project cost has been estimated at $100,000.

“We’ve got a little more than $4,000,” said SPIR Director Linda Gillman.

If an agreement was reached with the town, Baker and Anderson said they would be willing to put $60,000 toward the construction of the pavilion, leaving SPIR to come up with the remaining $40,000 for electrical work, landscaping and walkways.

Along with a new post office and the ongoing Mill Street project, the community pavilion would help draw foot traffic down toward the new stores opening on Mill Street — the lesser-used back half of Sylva’s Main Street — as well as help create a sense of place, Gillman said.

The town has already sent a letter to U.S. Postal Service real estate buyers endorsing a Jackson Plaza post office, a move made with the knowledge that the new library also will be placed in the Plaza.

“We had just written a letter not long ago, like literally days before these guys came over,” said Town Manager Richard McHargue.

Now, with a new deal on the table, town board members and SPIR are wondering if that letter can be retracted and a new one sent in its place.

“I guess it could be done,” McHargue said.

Board members have made no official decision about whether they support the Jim Gray post office location or if they are willing to enter into an agreement with Parsell Development. Meanwhile, SPIR is anxiously waiting.

“Hopefully we’ll find out before too long,” Gillman said.

Whether SPIR will be working to raise $40,000 or $100,000, Gillman said the organization most likely will plan a fund-raising event for sometime in the fall, with live music and food held at the future site of the pavilion.

The town will discuss the matter during its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2.