A public hearing will be held on a proposal to convert a former school on Binghamton's West Side into apartments.

A developer is seeking a special use permit to put dozens of bedrooms in the historic building at 116 Front Street.

The building - which is located just north of Main Street - had housed Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical Institute in recent years.

Josh Bishop of JJB Properties is planning to convert the structure into a three-unit dwelling with 31 bedrooms. Bishop could not be reached for comment.

A public hearing on the request for a special use permit has been scheduled for April 11 at 5:35 p.m. in the Binghamton city council chambers.

The building has been designated as a city local landmark property. It was constructed around 1858 for Benjamin Sisson. He founded Sisson's, which was Binghamton's first department store.

Broome County historian Gerald Smith said the Sisson residence on Front Street had been regarded as "an elegant home." City records indicate Sisson lived there until 1891.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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