City to Demolish Fire-Damaged Binghamton Buildings

Barricades closed the sidewalk in front of a fire-damaged Henry Street building on May 19,2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

A pair of downtown Binghamton buildings damaged by fire in late March are about to be torn down.

A building at 162 Henry Street sustained heavy damage in a March 26 fire. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

A few days after the blaze, Mayor Richard David said the city had notified the property owner to take steps to have the structures removed within 30 days.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Thursday, David said demolition at the site could start "in the next few days."

The mayor said "burned-out eyesores are a concern" and are a source of frustration to city residents. He said there also is an issue of safety around fire-damaged buildings.

David said the city was coordinating plans to tear down the Henry Street structures, which are across the street from the NYSEG Stadium parking lot.

A sidewalk in front of the property which had been littered with broken glass and fire-related debris was cleared after the situation was called to the mayor's attention.

The Department of Public Works also has erected barricades closing the sidewalk near the scene of the March 26 fire.

Glass and other debris littered the sidewalk at 162 Henry Street on May 17, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.