United States Senator Chuck Schumer and State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder announced this week that they have sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging the immediate installation of a new Contract Postal Unit, or CPU, in Broad Channel. This request comes after months of delays and multiple rounds of review of the original application to replace facilities destroyed during Hurricane Sandy.
“Many families in Broad Channel are still not back in their homes following Superstorm Sandy and most still lack the basic services they need,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “The Postal Service has a responsibility to serve its customers and help our Sandy devastated community rebuild.”
CPUs are independent retailers under contract with the U.S. Postal Service that, while not considered full post offices, provide many of the same services that post offices do. Generally, they supplement Postal Service offerings, to give access to services when existing postal facilities are insufficient to handle demand or are located far from postal patrons. In 2012, the Government Accountability Office released a report recommending increased use of CPUs, to help the Postal Service improve service while cutting costs.
In early 2014, a representative from the Postal Service approved the Broad Channel Civic’s application for a new CPU in the neighborhood. In response, the civic reached out to local businesses for a location, and All American Channel Market Deli on Cross Bay Boulevard agreed to install the CPU in its store. However, in June, the Postal service informed them that the application had in fact been denied, citing a lack of need for postal services in Broad Channel. The agency agreed to reexamine the application but has not yet made a decision.
By Forum Staff
