Late-Night Loading at Knickerbocker Post Office ‘Violates’ Locals’ Quality of Life

The Knickerbocker Station postal branch on East Broadway is apparently making enemies of its neighbors. And has been since last spring.

Of concern to some nearby residents is the rear loading dock backing up to Division Street, and the extension of operations hours roughly six months ago to begin at 2am. Basically, the neighborhood is kept awake starting at that time when trucks are loading. And now a petition is making the rounds to “stop noise pollution in our Lower East Side community.” According to the complaint, quality of life is “violated” by loud “yelling, slamming doors, and old carts scraping against the pavement.” Those affected implore the USPS to return to its former hours (i.e. loading no earlier than 7am) and “explore the feasibility of soundproofing” the dock.

Here’s the petition pitch, which also sits at the counter of the 12 Corners coffee shop on East Broadway.

Approximately six months ago, the United States Postal Service began operating hours at the Knickerbocker Post Office located at 128 East Broadway has been extended to 2am-7am. The loading dock is located on Division Street, which is a small, highly residential neighborhood. Our community’s quality of life is being violated by loud sounds created by yelling, slamming doors, and old carts scraping against the pavement that affects our health and quality of life each and every day.

We, the undersigned petitioners, join Councilwoman Margaret [Chin], Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer to urge the USPS Knickerbocker Station return to its normal operating hours and begin loading trucks no earlier than 7am. Furthermore, we also request the USPS explore the feasibility of soundproofing the walls of Knickerbocker Station losing dock to reduce noise from emanating into the surrounding neighborhood.

Meanwhile, the topic will also be discussed at the Community Board 3 Transportation subcommittee meeting on December 12.