After serving thousands of people for decades, the Broome Developmental Center is closing without any fanfare.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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The Town of Dickinson facility will officially shut down as of Thursday (March 31). But a union official described the place the day before the formal closing as an "empty nest."

David Jenkins, the president of CSEA Local 449, has said union members who had worked at the developmental center have been moved to new community sites.

Jenkins said a few dozen workers will remain at the site to provide operational and administrative services. Some maintenance employees and cleaners also will be there to keep the property in shape for some future use.

Jenkins said no one knows what the state's plans are for the site.

About 700 people worked at the facility when the plan to close it was announced nearly three years ago. 166 clients were being served at the center at that time.

A call to Governor Andrew Cuomo's office seeking comment about the decision to close the facility was not returned.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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