AFTER HIS PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: ITHACA’S POST OFFICE WILL STAY AT DOWNTOWN LOCATION; FOLLOWING SENATOR’S URGING, USPS PRIORITIZES ITHACA COMMUNITY, BUSINESSES, AND RESIDENTS
Schumer Says USPS Finally Listens To Local Concerns & Commits To Keeping Post Office In Downtown Ithaca
Ithaca Post Office’s Central Location Is Vital To Business District Economy And Resident Accessibility
Schumer: Message Delivered -- Ithaca’s Post Office Is Here To Stay
After joining the effort to save downtown Ithaca’s Post Office last year, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the U.S. Postal Service has reached an agreement with local leaders and the post office on N. Tioga Street will remain in operation. The senator celebrated the decision, saying that the deal puts Ithaca’s businesses, organizations, and residents first and acknowledges the economic importance of the post office’s convenient location on the community.
“Ithaca’s historic downtown post office is a pillar of the city’s business district, with countless residents and commercial institutions dependent on its central location and easy accessibility for their postal needs, which is why I called on the USPS to keep it right where it is,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased to hear that the USPS has worked with local leaders in good faith to ensure a long-term solution for the post office that boosts Ithaca. As Ithaca has grown over the years, the post office has been critical in keeping the community connected and will continue to help the region grow for years to come.”
“The Town of Ithaca is pleased that we have negotiated a long-term lease that builds upon a twenty year history of having the U.S. Postal Service as a tenant and importantly, as a downtown Ithaca presence,” said Rod Howe, Ithaca Town Supervisor.
A copy of Schumer’s letter to then-Postmaster Brennan, sent in February of 2020 to urge the USPS to work with local Ithaca leaders, appears below:
Dear Postmaster General Brennan,
I write on behalf of the businesses, organizations and residents of Ithaca, New York, regarding the potential relocation of their post office in downtown Ithaca. Moving the post office to outside the downtown would have a negative economic impact on the hundreds of businesses and community members, which depend on the facility for their postal needs. I strongly urge the USPS to quickly meet with local officials and stakeholders, and begin working with them to establish a mutually acceptable long-term solution.
For years, Ithaca has greatly benefited from the convenience and centrality of its historic downtown post office. Ithaca is a pedestrian-oriented community, and the post office is in the heart of its central business district, with many businesses dependent on the ease of the downtown post office for their operations. The location also services many residents who are reliant on the post office’s accessibility and would be greatly hindered should it move to a more remote location. The City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca, and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance have all expressed both overwhelming support to preserve the post office’s downtown location and their willingness to work with the USPS in resolving this matter. This vast coalition demonstrates the great significance of this post office to the community and highlights the need for the USPS to come to the table and hear from local leaders.
Given the importance of this post office, and the potential long-lasting impacts on the Ithaca community, I encourage the USPS to quickly address this issue and begin work to create a permanent solution in conjunction with local leaders, which preserves the accessibility of postal services to the residents and businesses of downtown Ithaca. Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Sincerely,
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