USPS Seeking Input On New London Post Office's Future

The United States Postal Service is seeking feedback from residents on a plan to sell the New London post office and move some operations into a “right-sized space” within the city.

Joseph J. Mulvey, a real estate specialist for the USPS, said the 46,000 square foot building at 27 Masonic Street is too large for the post office’s current needs. The building currently includes customer service—or retail services—and post office boxes on the first floor as well as delivery carrier operations. The service is proposing the consolidation of delivery services at the Waterford postal facility, with retail services to be relocated to another space within New London. The Masonic Street building would then be sold.

“The reason behind this proposal is the realignment of the USPS infrastructure to a 40 percent drop in total mail volume,” said Mulvey. “The USPS receives no tax dollars for its operations or facilities, and covers these costs solely through the revenue received from the sale of postage products and services. The Postal Service is in a very serious financial situation.”

New London’s post office used to be located on the corner of State Street and Union Street, before an increased demand necessitated the construction of the current building in the 1930s. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes murals by Thomas La Farge commissioned as part of the New Deal relief programs of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

“The Postal Service would place preservation covenants on any deed of sale to ensure that any historic features are preserved,” said Mulvey. “The murals would remain in the building under a lease agreement between the Postal Service and any buyer.”

Mulvey said the post office would not move to a new location without a confirmed buyer for the Masonic Street building. Written comments on the proposal will be accepted through April 30.

The USPS decision will be put up in the post office lobby and shared with Mayor Daryl Finizio and the City Council. This will be followed by a 30-day appeal period, after which the building could go up for sale. The decision of whether the post office will move its operations or sell the Masonic Street building will be made by the manager of USPS Facilities Implementation and the division’s vice president.

Comments may be sent to the following address:

Joseph J. Mulvey
Facilities Implementation
U.S. Postal Service
2 Congress Street, Room 8
Milford, MA, 01757-9998  

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