Re: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Allston Post Office Set to Return with New Location on Harvard Avenue

[Anthony D'Isidoro]

Hello Everyone,

I hate to take all the thunder out of the announcement coming out of the Councilor's office, however us little guys need to speak up when it is required to do so, especially when there is some glaring omissions. 

First of all, as President of the Allston Civic Association, the day they locked the doors at 47 Harvard Ave in December, 2019 , I have been advocating for a new post office in Allston and have worked with all stakeholders on moving this issue forward.

It appears my efforts have not been acknowledged.

Just recently in a meeting with Senator Brownsberger, he reached out to Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley who returned his call immediately. I've got to believe that effort helped get us over the finish line.

I want to personally thank the Senator and Congresswomen and their staffs for all their efforts on behalf of the Allston community.

I also want to extend a big shoutout to Wayne Yeh from the Councilor's staff for all his efforts in coordinating activity among the stakeholders.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who wrote a letter or made a phone call to help elevate the urgency of correcting this gross injustice to the people of Allston.

This announcement comes with a great deal of caution.

Although it is a step forward, keep in mind a lease still needs to be negotiated including levels of service, the government needs to fund that lease, the project needs to stand on its own and receive city approval and pickup and delivery needs to be worked out with BTD. 

The biggest concern and the weakest link in this proposal, especially given the uncertain economic times ahead of us, what guarantees is Eaton Properties prepared to make assuming all the issues are addressed above, that the project is going to built at all. Will financing be available, will the return on investment diminish over time, will the project be sold, when can we expect the building to come online, is it better to negotiate with existing commercial/retail space that could potentially come online faster. (The community has been waiting for almost four years, how much longer do they wait.)

I thank the Councilor for all her efforts. Time is of the essence. I just wonder given the head winds ahead and recent developments overseas, does this proposal give us the best chance to meet the need.   

Is this another leap of faith we are being asked to take with the outcome far from guaranteed.

Tony 

Anthony D’Isidoro, President

Allston Civic Association

P.O Box 822

Allston, MA 02134

617-417-3716 (Mobile)

www.allstoncivicassociation.org

adis...@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/AllstonCivicAssociation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Pam Mullaney, 617-894-9037, pam.mu...@boston.gov, Office of Councilor Breadon

Allston Post Office Set to Return With New Location on Harvard Ave

Eden Properties and USPS agree to letter of intent; Post office has been closed since 2019

ALLSTON, BOSTON (October 16, 2023) - The United States Postal Service (USPS) has agreed upon a letter of intent with Boston-based real estate firm Eden Properties to reestablish the Allston Post Office in a new location on Harvard Avenue in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. 

The Allston Post Office was closed in 2019 when the building that previously housed the Post Office was found to have structural issues. For the past four years, the approximately 77,000 residents of Allston and Brighton have been served by the Brighton Post Office Branch in Brighton Center. 

In 2021, the former Allston Post Office site was purchased by real estate firm Eden Properties. Eden Properties has proposed to redevelop this site as a mixed-use residential project, referred to as the ‘25-39 Harvard Avenue’ project, currently under review by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA). 

As part of the site’s redevelopment, Eden Properties has worked with the USPS to reestablish the Allston Post Office Branch in retail space situated on the ground floor of its proposed development. A significant milestone in negotiations was reached last week when the USPS agreed upon a letter of intent to occupy approximately 1,500 SF of ground-floor retail space in this development and reestablish the Allston Post Office in this location. 

“I was delighted to learn of this important step in the reestablishment of the Allston Post Office,” said District 9 City Councilor Liz Breadon. “Allston’s immigrant communities, small business owners, and elderly population rely on the services that the Post Office provides. I am in strong support of the reopening of the Allston Post Office and look forward to input from community members and leaders in Allston as BPDA review of this project nears completion.”

“The Allston post office is a vital resource for our residents and local businesses that provides many essential services to our community in addition to mail,” said State Representative Kevin Honan. “Through planning, partnerships, and neighborhood involvement, Allston will once again have a convenient location.”

"Neighborhood staples like this post office are so crucial to the quality of life for our residents, and I’m pleased to see this commitment from the developer,” said Majority Leader Michael Moran. ‘I’m grateful for the advocacy of my colleagues and look forward to further planning as we see this project come to life.”

The 25-39 Harvard Avenue project must complete Article 80 review with the BPDA and additional review by the USPS is required to finalize the location. 

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Liz Breadon
Boston City Councilor 
District 9 - Allston/Brighton

One City Hall Square, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02201

Liz.B...@boston.gov | 617-635-3113

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