Ellis Bros. Development in Binghamton is on Hold

The owners of Ellis Brothers Furniture are telling the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin that they have put their plans to turn the old J.C. Penny building at the corner of Court and Hawley Streets into a new, massive showroom on hold following a vote in Binghamton City Council last April that failed to name the city the lead agency in the redevelopment of the former pedestrian mall space in front of the Metro Center.

After an Ellis Brothers showroom was destroyed in a massive fire April 30, 2014, the Contemporary Furniture department was temporarily reopened in the former Tiffany’s Restaurant, a former bank, on Court Street as plans were refined for the redevelopment of the building kitty-corner from Boscov’s Department Store.

Tom Ellis told the paper that, while the building had been gutted and new windows put in, the $336,000 project has been halted.

Ellis says they are re-evaluating their options after the April vote pulled the plug on turning the courtyard area in front of Metro Center into ten new parking spots.

While several downtown business leaders have supported the conversion of the courtyard, several residents objected saying the new parking would be awkward to use and make the site less aesthetically appealing.

Meanwhile, some of the planned work had already been done in front of the Metro Center, leaving the City on the hook for $69,255.

The Mayor has said he hopes to revisit the project after a new City Council is sworn in January 1^st.  All council seats are up for election.