Binghamton University to Tear Down “Very Attractive” JC Building

A century-old building on Main Street in Johnson City is about to be demolished by Binghamton University.

Village records indicate the original two-story wood frame residence at 190 Main Street was constructed around 1925. A large addition was built on the east side of the house in 1947.

The residential property was converted to dentist offices. The Binghamton University Foundation bought the site for $327,000 in June 2020.

Although about two dozen other nearby residential and commercial buildings were acquired and demolished by the university, the property at 190 Main Street was expected to be repurposed.

Binghamton University president Harvey Stenger told WNBF News in 2021 that it was "a very attractive building" which has "a great presence on Main Street."

Stenger said various uses were being considered for the site. He indicated student services or administrative offices might be located there.

But the university now is preparing to have been old house and the addition torn down.

In response to an inquiry from WNBF News, a spokesperson wrote:

We were attempting to remodel but there was significant water damage that caused irreparable harm to the building. The decision was then made to demo it. We will hold the property and maintain it as green space until a new plan for it develops. The demo will take place in the next few weeks.

 

A Gorick Construction excavator already is staged at the demolition site. An asbestos removal notice indicated LCP Group of Vestal removed material from the property in January.

The site is located within Johnson City's "historic core district." Mayor Martin Meaney said the proposed demolition was approved by the village historic review board. He said the state Historic Preservation Office was reviewing details of the project.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A visit to the 100-year-old house and the attached addition at 190 Main Street in Johnson City.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.