Binghamton Post Office Parking Spaces Blocked by New Curb

Access to a few parking spaces at a neighborhood post office in Binghamton now is affected by a newly-installed curb.

The spaces are located on the east side of the Southview Station post office at Vestal Avenue and Mary Street.

Nearby residents have wondered whether the construction of the curb in front of the parking area was done in error.

Gary Loichle, who lives near the post office, snapped a photo of the situation when he noticed it.

Loichle said he posted the image on Facebook, noting the curb now blocks the marked parking spaces next to the building. In his post, he suggested that people should "call the Mayor's office and file a complaint."

The curb was not installed by mistake. In an email to WNBF News, Deputy Mayor Megan Heiman wrote: "As far as we can tell, there has long been a curb there, but over the years, it was covered by asphalt or crumbled. The curb is a pedestrian and traffic safety improvement at that intersection, planned as part of the Mary Street infrastructure work." She sent a 2012 Google Street View image illustrating the parking area's condition from a decade ago.

Loichle said a post office clerk told him the construction contractors had been advised that the curb was "not right" and "it shouldn't have been done."

In her response to an inquiry, Heiman wrote: "The City is looking at on-street parking options, including new handicapped parking, and have reached out to the postmaster to coordinate." She added that there also is a city-owned parking lot directly behind the post office which can be used by the public.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the curb "apparently was installed by mistake." 

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.