Saving the Roosevelt Island Post Office
I was deeply troubled to learn of the United States Postal Service's decision to include the Roosevelt Island post office as one of 34 locations under consideration for closure. This post office is the only location accessible to Roosevelt Island residents-- going to Queens or Manhattan is just not feasible.
The USPS has pointed out in the past that a post office in Manhattan was "conveniently close" for Roosevelt Islanders, ignoring the fact that a significant part of the path to that office consisted of the East River. To reach an alternative post office, residents would have to take a subway or a tram to Manhattan, or walk a mile and a half into Queens. For Islanders, a trip to the post office would take at least a half an hour each way if they choose to go by subway or tram, or more than 45 minutes each way if they choose to walk. For the significant number of seniors and disabled people living on the island, a trip to the post office would become impossible.
For this reason, I, along with other east side elected officials, called on the postmaster general to reconsider the closing of the Roosevelt Island post office, as well as hold a public hearing to let Island residents express their views. On Thursday, I joined Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney on Roosevelt Island to speak out against this disastrous plan. The US Postal Service literally expects Roosevelt Islanders to walk on water to get their mail, but Islanders shouldn't need a miracle to keep this post office open.
We have also started a petition against the closure of this post office. If you would like to sign the petition, please contact my office at 212-860-4906. I will continue work with the community and other elected officials to ensure that this much needed Post Office remains open.
