Council Will Build New Post Office On Parking Lot in Brattle Square

A new post office will be constructed on the City-owned Brattle Square parking lot, John Curry, City Manager, announced last night. The Cambridge City Council sold the site to contractor Frank Capaldi, who will erect the new building.

The structure should be completed by September 1, when the lease on the present post office runs out. Capaldi, who has built other branch post offices, will rent the building to the government.

Postal officials had previously tried to obtain a University building or lot, but no such space was available, said Edward R. Reynolds, administrative vice-president.

Parking Problem

Curry disclosed that the Brattle Square site had been chosen over two other proposed locations, despite the fact that Harvard Square merchants opposed use of the parking space. They charged that the loss of parking space would curb their business.

He stressed the need for a post office in the square. Curry explained that space around the post office will be sufficient to allow for parking meters. Intensive study of the area is being made to determine allotment of further parking space.