Potential Ovington post office closure angers Ridgeites

The Ovington post office is in jeopardy again.

The station, at Fourth Avenue and 68th Street, is one of 20 offices in New York City and thousands more nationwide that could close due to U.S. Postal Service (USPS) financial struggles.

"Since 2006, our mail volume has been declining alarmingly, and along with that, the amount of people who come into the post offices has been declining enormously," said Darleen Reid-DeMeo, a USPS spokesperson. "So therefore, as an organization, we have to become more efficient and more streamlined. This is one initiative among many to consolidate operations and save money."

USPS considers several criteria in determining which post offices could be shut down, said Reid-DeMeo. Post offices within five miles of another post office, offices in areas where "expanded access points" - other places to purchase stamps or priority mail products - are readily available, and stations where customer traffic is declining could all be up for closure.

This is the second time that Ovington has been on the potential shut-down list; the office remained open in 2009 after extensive petitioning and protesting, according to a post office employee who did not wish to be identified. The employee added that the 50-year-old office made over $850,000 in revenue last year, so why it has returned to the chopping block is a mystery.

Local politicians are also angered about the potential Ovington post office closure.

"A lot of folks in Bay Ridge depend on that post office and wouldn't able to get to one that's further away," said Ilan Kayatsky, press secretary for Congressmember Jerry Nadler, who represents the station and surrounding area. "Every neighborhood should be able to have a reasonably close post office."

Nadler has made an official request to the U.S. Postal Service to keep the Ovington office open, according to Kayatsky. Councilmember Vincent Gentile has written to the Brooklyn postmaster, requesting the same.

"The Ovington Post Office must remain open, and I will do everything in my power to make sure of that," Gentile said. "The Ovington office serves over 500 customers per day. And with the two nearest post offices both nearly two miles away in opposite directions, it is essential that this location stays open.

"Even in the age of email, a lot of people still rely on and use ‘regular' mail" Gentile contended, adding, "Not to mention that traveling two miles to another post office is not an option for most seniors in our area."

State Senator Marty Golden agrees. "If the Ovington branch was to close, it would be a great disservice to many residents and postal customers," he said. "The closing of this post office will leave thousands of residents with only one option, the Fort Hamilton Station. We all know that the wait time there is already frustrating, so just imagine what the lines would be like in the future."

Residents expressed shock at the possibility.

"If they close this post office, between 88th Street and 55th Street, there would be no post office," said Mary Price, who had just emerged from the station. "It's outrageous. What, are they off their rockers?"

"I would have a fit [if the post office closed]," added Ridgeite Veronica Higgins, who had also just come out of the post office. "For senior citizens, it's convenient. Why shouldn't we have some convenience? We need the post office."

Reid-DeMeo pointed out that there will be a period of 138 days during which USPS will post notifications in the offices considered for closure. Each of the offices should know their fate by October, she added, "but that doesn't mean that the next day, the doors will close. It depends on what the study data identifies."

In the meantime, Ridgeites can call 1-800-ASK-USPS, to register their opposition.