By Rebecca Henely
Elected officials from Queens announced Tuesday an agreement had been reached with the U.S. Postal Service to delay the closure of all postal facilities, including the mail sorting facility in College Point, for at least five months.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said she and 14 senators from other states arrived at an agreement with U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and Thurgood Marshall Jr., chairman of the U.S. Postal Service board of governors, to put a moratorium on all closings until May 15.
“The U.S. Postal Service plays a vital role in every community,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “Small businesses, families, and seniors depend on these facilities daily.”
The announcement was greeted with enthusiasm by U.S. Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside), who also said that they would still fight to keep the office open even after the five months end.
USPS had considered closing the Queens mail sorting facility on 20th Avenue and the Whitestone Expressway Service Road in College Point, which was protested by multiple city, state and federal legislators. The plan was to move the operations to a plant in Brooklyn.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
