Slowing the Rush to Sell Historic Post Offices

Outcry over the potential sale of post offices in Berkeley and the Bronx has prompted those areas’ respective Congressional representatives to seek federal legislation to put the brakes on the Postal Service’s rush to sell historic properties.

2 minute read

January 23, 2014, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The recent federal omnibus spending bill included a moratorium on the sale of historic post offices, sponsored by Reps. José E. Serrano (D-NY) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), reports Anna Hiatt. The two represent the Bronx and Berkeley, respectively, where the United State Postal Service has announced intentions to sell historic post offices.

From a statement by Rep. Serrano: “The USPS needs to put sales of historic post offices on hold while we wait to see what the inspector general’s report and the [Advisory Council on Historic Preservation] reports say.”

Also from Rep. Serrano’s statement: “I understand the USPS has a serious revenue problem . . .but selling off historic properties to the highest bidder without following the appropriate procedures is completely unacceptable.”

Currently, the Postal Service is required to hold a public meeting and a comment period for feedback after announcing intentions to sell a building. “But the USPS is pushing a proposal to change federal regulation and eliminate the environmental impact report, which would mean cutting the public hearing process,” reports Hiatt.

Another post by Kaid Benfield puts the USPS’s efforts to sell properties in broader context: “According to multiple reports, the Postal Service is moving to shutter over 4,000 post office buildings around the country.” Benfield also notes that past attempts by federal legislators to add requirements for public input regarding the real estate dealings of the USPS have been largely unsuccessful.

Monday, January 20, 2014 in Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight