Photo c/o The Real Deal.
As the United States Postal Service (USPS) moves ahead with the second phase of the sale of the Bronx General Post Office, located at E 149th St. and the Grand Concourse, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged USPS to meet with the Bronx community and hear their concerns before deciding on a winning bid. With at least eleven submitted plans, the Senator pressed the agency to choose a proposal that would create a space that would benefit the community and grow the local economy.
Photo c/o MSNBC
“The sale of the historic Bronx post office, a neighborhood cornerstone, is an important decision that will deeply impact the future of the South Bronx,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The USPS must ensure that the voices of Bronx residents are heard. The community deserves a transformative space that will strengthen the borough and help grow the local economy.”
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr weighed in:
Photo c/o Facebook
“In order to get the best possible project, in order to see the best possible ideas move forward, the USPS must include our community’s input on the future of this historic building,” he said. “We do have options. We have met with several developers that have put forward innovative ideas for this space. I am glad that this issue has Senator Gillibrand’s attention and I am grateful that she is working to make sure that the voices of Bronxites are heard for the betterment of our community.”
Senator Gillibrand wrote in a letter to USPS: “I write to express concerns regarding the future of the Bronx General Post Office… I urge your agency to work with local elected officials and community groups to fully understand and consider all viable uses for the facility by visiting the Bronx and hearing from the community before selecting a winning bid… I urge you to employ selection criteria that favors developers who will utilize this space for public use and benefit. A wide variety of uses, many of which enjoy wide community support, have been considered for this site in the past and I ask that you to continue to consider these proposals.”
Currently, the agency has no plans to engage with the community until after the winning bid is selected. Senator Gillibrand called for a visit to the Bronx to hear from the community before a significant decision on the outcome is made.
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