U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today called on the United States Postal Service to ensure that the Northport Post Office remain downtown and in the same location. The United States Postal Service recently announced it might consider relocating the retail facility, on Main Street, to a smaller facility within the Northport 11768 zip code. The post office is currently located near many of the village’s businesses, in an area that the Northport residents frequently visit. Schumer is asking the Postmaster General to reconsider this move as its current location is an indispensable part of Northport’ downtown community. In their letter to Postmaster General Donahoe, Schumer and Gillibrand suggested that if the USPS is committed to selling this property, the USPS should include language in its Request for Proposals (RFP) that gives priority to potential buyers and developers who promise to include space for the Northport Post Office in any development on the site.
“There is no question that the Post Office needs to retool itself for the modern age, but there is a way to both do that and keep the Northport Post Office open and downtown,” said Schumer. “We need the Postal Service to really examine their options and make the choice that is obviously best for Northport residents.”
“Relocating the Northport Post Office, which is the heart of the village, would have a negative impact on the community,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We must ensure that mail services are accessible to Northport residents and we urge USPS to include Main Street space for the post office.”
The USPS is considering relocating the retail facility of the Village of Northport Post Office, currently located at 240 Main Street in Northport, to a smaller facility within the Northport 11768 zip code. The Village of Northport Post Office also serves the resident of Eaton’s Neck and Asharoken. The Northport Letter Carriers will be relocated to another postal facility. The Postal Service has recently downsized a number of their postal facilities in order to maximize efficiency. The post office is located in the downtown section of Northport, close to many of the village’s small businesses and in an area that residents frequently visit.
Today, Schumer and Gillibrand called on the Postal Service to consider keeping the retail facility of the Northport Post Office in the downtown section of the village. The senators made the case that this Post Office provides critical foot traffic to Main Street’s businesses and provides stores the opportunity to earn more revenue. Vice-Versa, its proximity to downtown businesses will help generate more revenue for the USPS. In their letter to Postmaster General Donahoe, Schumer and Gillibrand suggested that if the USPS is committed to selling this property, the USPS should include language in its Request for Proposals (RFP) that gives priority to potential buyers and developers who promise to include space for the Northport Post Office in any development on the site. Schumer also added that the Northport Letter Carriers, who will be relocated to another postal facility, should be given adequate time to compensate for longer commutes to and from their new facility and their existing designated mail routes. Schumer and Gillibrand are urging the USPS to take this request into account as the RFP process develops.
A copy of Schumer and Gillibrand’s letter to Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe can be found below:
September 18, 2012
The Honorable Patrick R. Donahoe
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260-0010
Dear Postmaster General:
As you know, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is considering relocating the retail facility located at 240 Main Street, in Northport, New York, to a smaller facility within the Northport 11768 zip code. While we understand and appreciate the Postal Service’s need to maximize network efficiency, we believe relocating the Northport Post Office from its current location would be detrimental to this Long Island community.
The Village of Northport Post Office is truly a lifeline to its resident, neighboring communities and downtown businesses. As it does in so many other of our nation’s small town communities, Main Street is the village’s premiere economic avenue. When residents utilize this post office, they bring critical foot traffic to Main Street’s businesses. This is a win-win-win as consumers have convenient access to the post office, stores earn more revenue, and the Post Office boosts its business earnings. Altering this balance by relocating the Northport facility could undermine growth and quality of life for everybody.
If USPS is committed to selling the property at 240 Main Street, we propose the USPS include language in its Request for Proposals (RFP) that gives priority to potential buyers and developers who promise to include space for the Northport Post Office in any new development on this site. In doing so, the USPS will successfully meets its goal of improving network efficiency with the added bonus of keeping this valuable post office in such an important part of this community. Further, those Northport Letters Carriers, who are relocated to another postal facility, should be given adequate time to compensate for longer commutes to and from their new facility and their existing designated mail routes.
We understand that USPS may be preparing its RFP in the coming weeks, and we respectfully urge that you take this request into account as the process develops.
Thank you for your consideration. For additional information or assistance in drafting RFP language, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand