Roosevelt Island Post Office Saved - Will Not Be Closed Down Reports Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

Image of August 18 2011 Roosevelt Island Post Office Protest Rally (Congresswoman Maloney at Podium)

Received the following statement from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's office:

SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR THE HOLIDAYS: REP. MALONEY ANNOUNCES ROOSEVELT ISLAND POST OFFICE TO REMAIN OPEN

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney today announced that the New York District of the United States Postal Service (USPS) has removed the Roosevelt Island Station post office from the Postal Service’s discontinuance list.  She received the notice today from the USPS’ headquarters in Washington, DC, which wrote to her office, “The New York District has removed the Roosevelt Island Station from the Post Office discontinuance list.  After careful evaluation of the data, it was determined that it would not be feasible to close the office at this time.”

This summer, the USPS revealed that it was studying the possibility of closing Roosevelt Island Station and moving the services provided to postal customers on the Island to other post offices. Islanders responded to the possible closure with an outpouring of support.  All of the local elected officials representing Roosevelt Island – Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, NYS Senator José Serrano, NYS Assembly Member Micah Kellner, and City Council Member Jessica Lappin – issued a letter opposing the closure (see below), and thousands of residents signed petitions which Congresswoman Maloney delivered to the Postmaster. 

“Roosevelt Island’s residents, businesses, and community and government leaders knew all along that Roosevelt Island Station provides critical services to the growing community on the Island, but we had to send that message special delivery to the Postal Service.  This summer, USPS officials began making a list – but thankfully, they checked it twice, and took Roosevelt Island Station off the chopping block!” said Congresswoman Maloney.

“I thank the Postal Service for hearing our concerns and keeping this important local institution of the federal government open for business.  Above all, I’d like to thank the countless residents and business owners of Roosevelt Island who organized effectively and outspokenly in the finest tradition of the Island. This win is a tribute to them and the entire community.”

More information on threat of Roosevelt Island Post Office closing and protests at previous posts.

UPDATE 7 PM - Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Leslie Torres adds:

I was very happy to learn that Congresswoman Maloney was able to persuade the United States Postal Service (USPS) to keep the Roosevelt Island Station post office open and remove the site from the discontinuance list.  The post office represents a key Island service, especially for the elderly and disabled residents that use the station for their everyday postal needs.