Demolition Clearing Way For Vestal Medical Complex

Crews have started to tear down a long-vacant building in Vestal in preparation for the construction of a medical office facility.

United Health Services intends to build a 69,000-square-foot structure at the site of the former Van Atta automobile dealership. The property is across from the main entrance to the Binghamton University campus on the Vestal Parkway.

Although UHS is expected to own the two-story building, town officials say the land on which the facility will sit will continue to be owned by the Akel family.

Officials say the ownership arrangement will be similar to what has been done for the existing UHS medical office building just to the west.

United Health Services Hospitals took the town of Vestal to court when officials refused to grant the corporation a tax exemption for the 77,000-square-foot structure.

Town officials were unhappy about the loss of tax revenue if they had approved the exemption request.

The new medical office building is scheduled to open next year. According to a sign at the site, the complex will house an orthopedic center. UHS has not announced what other services will be provided in the new building.