Jackson Heights Post Office Construction Has Begun!

New Accessibility Ramp Construction Begins at Jackson Heights Post Office!

Dear NY-14 neighbors,

Jackson Heights residents and local leaders have long pushed for USPS to make the neighborhood post office accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, seniors, and parents with strollers. This inaccessibility created an unnecessary hurdle for our community members.

However, after years of advocacy from Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, Congresswoman Meng and Councilmember Krishnan, and with the help of the United States Access Board, we are happy to announce construction of a ramp for the Jackson Heights Post Office has begun!

Background on USPS Ramp Efforts

In a 2020 House Oversight Committee, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified regarding postal delays, President Trump’s attempts to sabotage USPS, and conflicts of interest between his former business and his appointment. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used the opportunity to press the Postmaster on the need to construct an accessible ramp at the Jackson Heights Post Office. Watch the full video below.

Since then, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, Congresswoman Grace Meng and City Councilmember Shekar Krishnan have all led efforts to make the post office accessible. USPS has long held that due to the historic preservation status of the post office, they could not build a ramp until the building was altered or remodeled in some way. That alteration happened in November of 2023 when USPS repaired the steps in front of the post office. Soon after, thanks to advocacy from a constituent, Ms. Beverly, and with the help of the United States Access Board, USPS finally obtained the necessary approval from the New York State Historic Preservation Office to begin planning for this ramp.

Construction began on May 30, 2025 and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2025. In addition to the ramp being installed, there will also be an expanded garden space.

Read below an account from Ms. Beverly on her advocacy on behalf of parents, seniors, and the disability community:

“The Jackson Heights Post Office built in 1929 has been inaccessible to disabled persons, parents with strollers. Despite ongoing appeals by elected officials throughout the years, remedy fell on deaf ears. The Architectural Barriers Act gave exemption to buildings erected prior to the 1960s Architectural Barriers Act.

Fortunately, I saw a posting on social media capturing the front stairs being reconstructed which caused the removal of the exemption.
I issued a complaint to the United States Access Board together with photos documenting the stair work. Mr Mario Damiani, Senior Investigator, set the project in motion and USPS was required to submit a plan of correction. Based on the USPS architects’ onsite evaluation, a design was drafted and submitted to the New York State Department of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation.” - Ms. Beverly

We thank Ms. Beverly for her work on behalf of her neighbors!

In Memory of Mr. Mario Damiani

As construction begins on the long-waited accessibility ramp, our office would like to pause and pay tribute to Mr. Mario Damiani from the U.S. Access Board, whose unwavering dedication made this moment possible. Mr. Damiani was instrumental in enforcing accessibility requirements at the post office and facilitating New York State approvals for this project. His work extended far beyond Jackson Heights - as Mr. Damiani championed improvements to community infrastructure at every point in his tenure.

Mr. Damiani was a loving husband, a valued member of our community, and a dedicated public servant who genuinely cared about the people he served. His kindness and patience in navigating complex bureaucratic processes, combined with his deep understanding of accessibility issues and practical solutions, enabled him to deliver results.

Mr. Damiani’s legacy lives on in every person who will use this ramp to conduct their postal business with dignity and independence. Our community is forever grateful for his service.

Rest in peace, Mario Damiani. Your work continues to open doors for others.

In service,

The Office of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez