U.S. Post Office

SOLUTION

The U.S. Post Office in Garden City, New York is a one story square brick and granite building in the Classical Revival style was built in 1936 by consulting architects Walker and Gillette. Construction was authorized under the Office of the Supervising Architect, an agency of the United States Treasury Department responsible for some of the most important architect commissions of the nineteenth and twentieth century.

The band of brickwork relief in concert with a simple polished granite frieze and carved fluted wood window casings give the buildings its’ understated yet decorative character. The building’s boldest feature is the sculpted bronze eagle perched above the entrance greeting all visitors. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 1989.

The interior of the building also boasts a 1937 mural done by American Artist J. Theodore Johnson titled “Huckleberry Frolic”. The mural portrays a constant reminder of the buildings long and rich history to all who occupy it.

WFC has been selected by the United States Postal Service to provide design professional services related to masonry restoration of the façade including cleaning and repair, as well as the repair and refinishing of the original historic wooden windows casings and trim. In addition, the bronze eagle above front entrance doors is proposed to be refinished in an attempt to match the original artistic quality of the post office.

Franklin Avenue in Garden City, NY is a very vibrant downtown area. The streets lined with cafes and restaurants dictate an almost urban street life. Unfortunately after many years of weathering the Garden City Post office no longer reflects or accentuates the vibrancy of its neighboring environment. Previous repairs and inappropriate rehabilitation efforts have created significant problems inside the building leading to water and moisture infiltration.

WFC has been entrusted by the United States Postal Service to restore this once proud government building so once more it can take its place within the vibrant fabric of Franklin Avenue.

In doing so WFC must work closely with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the state’s foremost authority on historic buildings, and follow the rigorous guidelines and standards set forth by SHPO to properly preserve the history of the building.