Update: Amidst a call for revitalization, the United States Postal Service said it anticipates restoration work to start next week for the exterior Flushing Main Street Post Office at 41-65 Main St. Visible deteriorating building conditions recently prompted Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) to urge the USPS to restore the building’s exterior.

Congresswoman sends letter to top NYC postal official urging that ailing facility be expeditiously repaired

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) today called on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to restore the exterior of the Flushing Post Office, most of which has fallen into a state of disrepair.

In a letter to Frank Calabrese, Manager of the USPS’s Triboro District, Meng called the neglect of the iconic building unacceptable, and urged that the front of the historic facility be expeditiously repaired.

“The paint is peeling. The steps are filthy and stained. Garbage litters the front. The doors are dull and tarnished,” wrote Meng. “My constituents and I believe that neglect of the post office is unacceptable. It is a symbol of pride for the Flushing community and needs to continuously meet our basic standards for such a building. These are not difficult issues to fix, but the longer they are neglected the more they detract from the beauty and elegance of the Flushing Main Street Post Office.”Located at 41-65 Main Street, the Flushing Post Office, officially known as the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Post Office Building, is the major postal facility that services the Flushing community. Its construction, which exhibits the best qualities of Colonial Revival architecture, was completed in 1934, and the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

“The Flushing Post Office has stood as a symbol of pride for the community of Flushing for many decades,” said Vincent Tomeo, President of the Maple Avenue Civic Association, a Flushing-based group that expressed concerns to Meng about the poor condition of the facility. “My heart sinks whenever I see how this once majestic building has decayed. It is imperative that the Postal Service quickly restore this facility, and I thank Congresswoman Meng for leading the charge on it.”

“When our office was contacted by the community, I immediately reached out to Congresswoman Grace Meng for her assistance with the Benjamin Rosenthal Post Office,” said Marilyn Bitterman, District Manager of Community Board 7 in Queens, the Board that encompasses Flushing. “For many years this iconic building has been neglected, and as a focal point in downtown Flushing, this is totally unacceptable. With a little help, this building, along with its surroundings, can and will be a building that we can all be proud since it is part of the National Register of Historic Places.”

The USPS Triboro District manages postal operations for Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Mr. Frank J. Calabrese
Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact
Triboro District
1050 Forbell Street
Brooklyn, NY 11256-9621
Dear Mr. Calabrese:

I am writing to express concerns my constituents have raised about the appearance of the Flushing Post Office.

Located at 41-65 Main Street, the Flushing Post Office, officially known as the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Post Office Building, is an iconic, historic building in our community. Flushing Main is the major post office that services our community. Its construction was completed in 1934, and was designed by renowned architect Dwight James Baum and his partner William W. Knowles. It exhibits the best qualities of Colonial Revival architecture such as a symmetrical façade with a central entrance, multi-paned windows, six Ionic columns, and a graceful marble interior. In recognition of its superb merits, the Flushing Post Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. In 1986, the building was named after one of my predecessors, Congressman Benjamin Rosenthal, who represented Flushing for 20 years.

Despite its historic significance and importance as a community center, the post office’s exterior has fallen into a state of disrepair. The paint is peeling. The steps are filthy and stained. Garbage litters the front. The doors are dull and tarnished. My constituents and I believe that neglect of the post office is unacceptable. It is a symbol of pride for the Flushing community and needs to continuously meet our basic standards for such a building. These are not difficult issues to fix, but the longer they are neglected the more they detract from the beauty and elegance of the Flushing Main Street Post Office.
I hope that you will expeditiously correct the negligence of this important building. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,Grace Meng
Member of Congress