BALTIMORE COUNTY — Residents of Fort Howard will now have more mailbox units at their disposal.
On Thursday the United States Postal Service announced it will be placing 169 mailbox units on a portion of Baltimore County land within Fort Howard Veteran Park.
Back in August, we spoke to residents in the Fort Howard community who were frustrated about the closing of the Fort Howard Post Office.
READ MORE: Fort Howard Post Office closing, neighbors demand answers
"If you live here, most residents, they walk here. A lot of them don't have transportation, they're senior citizens, and the thought that they would have to drive 14 miles round trip to get their mail every single day is absurd," said Jessica Hammonds of Fort Howard.
Officials told WMAR the closure was happening because the lease to the building was expiring.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume spoke on the issue saying it wasn't fair to the people of Fort Howard.
"They're on the right side of the issue. So if they're working on a petition, please get me a copy. If I have to deliver it myself to the postmaster general, I will," Mfume said.
In September, the post office received a one month extension, giving some temporary relief to the residents in Fort Howard.
RELATED: Fort Howard Post Office receives one month extension to remain open
The new mailbox units will be located just 0.2 from the former post office location.
"While it took sustained advocacy and pointed dialogue with the United States Postal Service over the last few months, I believe we are in a better place for the hardworking residents of Fort Howard with today's announcement. I thank Baltimore County Executive Olszewski, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Delegates Bob Long and Richard Metzgar, and Baltimore County Councilman Todd Crandell for jointly answering my call and thank the postal service for not giving up. Fort Howard mail delivery will thankfully continue in the community now for many years to come."
