A half-dozen dilapidated structures that have created a "blight zone" in Endwell finally are coming down.

Demolition workers on Tuesday began removing the first of six buildings near the intersection of East Main and North streets.

A pile of debris at the site of an abandoned car service center in Endwell on March 21, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A pile of debris at the site of an abandoned car service center in Endwell on March 21, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Broome County businessman Tim Connolly acquired several properties about 18 months ago with an eye toward redeveloping the area.

Connolly moved the offices for his business - First General of Southern New York - into one of the buildings he purchased. The building previously housed a series of bars, including Bobby's Place and O's Place. That building will remain in place for the time being.

Two neighboring buildings on East Main Street are being torn down. LCP Group of Vestal started the demolition process with a former service station on the west side of the parcel.

This laundromat was damaged in an arson fire on June 5, 1988. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
This laundromat was damaged in an arson fire on June 5, 1988. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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A burnt-out laundromat on the east side - at the corner of East Main Street and Scarborough Drive - also will be demolished. That boarded up building has been an eyesore since an arsonist set the place on fire 35 years ago - in June 1988. Four buildings to the south - along Scarborough Drive - will be torn down in the coming days.

Connolly had been anxiously awaiting the start of the demolition work. He said he expects the project to clear the site can be completed in about two weeks.

Demolition operations underway on East Main Street in Endwell on March 21, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Demolition operations underway on East Main Street in Endwell on March 21, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Connolly continues to work on finalizing on redevelopment project for the site. He said progress is being made and "we're excited." He said it has the potential to serve as a "big transformation" for that part of Endwell.

Town of Union supervisor Robert Mack also has expressed support for finding a productive use for the highly-visible site. The town has agreed to provide $200,000 to help prepare the property for a new development project.

VIDEO: Bob Joseph reports from the demolition site on East Main Street in Endwell.

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

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