Senator Fetterman, Congressman Kelly Urge Postmaster General to Reopen South Erie Post Office

BRADDOCK, PA - Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA-16) sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner urging the U.S. Postal Service to reopen the South Erie Post Office.

"Erie residents who do not drive struggle to access alternative post offices, while others report long waits at retail counters to retrieve their rerouted mail. In addition, we are concerned about dangerous conditions at the South Erie Post Office, including missing windows, holes in the pavement, and unhoused individuals sleeping on the premises. Unless the South Erie Post Office reopens soon, residents worry that they will face another holiday season without their local post office," wrote the members of Congress.

The South Erie Post Office located on Poplar Street suspended operations in October 2025 for repairs, and as of August 2026, remains closed. The U.S. Postal Service told members of Congress that it plans to reopen the facility in November 2026.

"Our offices learned that the South Erie Post Office is set to reopen in November 2026, but USPS has not communicated this with the community, and the current condition of the building leaves that timeline in doubt. The Erie community relies on this post office for essential services and it deserves answers about when services will be restored," continued the members.

Read the full text of the letter below and here.

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Dear Postmaster General Steiner:

We are concerned about the current closure and status of renovations of the South Erie Post Office located at 3607 Poplar Street, Erie, PA, 16508. The South Erie Post Office's continued closure is a burden on the Erie community, and we urge the Postal Service to reopen this facility as soon as possible.

The South Erie Post Office suspended operations in October 2025 for repairs.1 Erie residents who do not drive struggle to access alternative post offices, while others report long waits at retail counters to retrieve their rerouted mail. In addition, we are concerned about dangerous conditions at the South Erie Post Office, including missing windows, holes in the pavement, and unhoused individuals sleeping on the premises. Unless the South Erie Post Office reopens soon, residents worry that they will face another holiday season without their local post office.

Our offices learned that the South Erie Post Office is set to reopen in November 2026, but USPS has not communicated this with the community,3 and the current condition of the building leaves that timeline in doubt. The Erie community relies on this post office for essential services and it deserves answers about when services will be restored. To that end, we request your response in writing to the following questions no later than September 4, 2026.

1. What is the status of repairs at the South Erie Post Office? What work has been done so far and what remains to be completed?
2. Will the South Erie Post Office reopen and be fully operational in November 2026?
3. Are there plans to permanently close or relocate services provided by the South Erie Post Office? If so, please provide additional information on these plans.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact our offices.

Sincerely,