Postal service kills plans to sell Chelsea branch

The United States Postal Service is no longer looking to sell a historic Chelsea location, according to politicians who fought against the USPS’ plans to sell the asset to raise much-needed funds.

The 41,600-square-foot, two-story Colonial Revival building, at 217 West 18th Street, was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. When politicians heard about the USPS’ plans to sell in February of this year, it pushed the agency to hold a public meeting in April on the potential sale.

“I am thankful that after the completion of the public review process, USPS has taken these concerns into consideration and is now exploring options that do not include selling off this historic community asset,” Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who represents Manhattan, told DNAinfo.

The USPS did not respond to requests for comment. The agency has faced public criticism and legal challenges for its attempts to sell off historic buildings, including the Bronx General Post Office.  [DNAinfo]  – Hiten Samtani