Politics & Government

Queens Postal Facility Will Remain Open

Jobs, mail will stay in Whitestone.

The Whitestone postal facility, which has been in danger of closure since 2011, has been saved, according to U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman.

If the facility had been closed,

“The decision to take the Processing and Distribution Center off the chopping block is great news for the residents of Queens and the many businesses that depend on the critical services provided by this facility,” Ackerman said. “The plan to move the center’s responsibilities to the Brooklyn distribution location was a horrible idea that would have reduced the borough’s accessibility to a critical facility that hundreds of thousands of people rely upon.”

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Ackerman credited a near-constant campaign of workers, political leaders and community members who pressed the post office to change their decision, dating back to a rally in December.

"I thank Postal officials for finally coming to their senses, and for realizing how adversely impacted Queens would have been if this facility was closed," he added.

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The fears of residents were inflamed in February, when

State Sen. Toby Stavisky said she was thrilled with the decision to keep the center open.

"I'm delighted to hear that the Queens Processing and Distribution Center in College Point will remain open," Stavisky said. "This facility is ranked number two in productivity in the Northeast, and is the only local facility capable of handling the 53 foot tractor-trailers. It was a mistake to consider closing it in the first place, and I'm proud of what the local elected officials were able to accomplish by working together."

She added that the post office should think harder about generating revenue before they threaten to slash jobs again.

"If the USPS runs into financial troubles in the future, before closing needed facilities, they should consider revenue generating ideas."


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