Plan for 63 Apartments in Binghamton Office Building Approved

The Binghamton planning commission has authorized the conversion of a downtown office tower into a residential complex.

Developer James Slocum had sought a special use permit for the proposed project at the Centre Plaza building at Chenango and Henry streets.

The plan approved by the commission would permit 63 apartments with a total of 87 bedrooms to be established in the upper portion of the eight-story office building.

The project calls for seven more dwelling units and seven more bedrooms than what was outlined by Slocum at a September planning commission meeting.

Slocum had sought permission to include a gym in the basement of the building but that use is not allowed under city regulations.

Although the building's interior will be reconfigured for the planned apartments, the developer has said the exterior of the structure won't be changed.

A nightclub called The Cave - which operates in the basement at the west end of the complex - would not be affected by the conversion project.

Slocum, who acquired the property over the summer, told WNBF News on Wednesday that he now is working to finalize plans for the project.

The developer said the conversion will be a multi-million-dollar job but he's not sure of what the total cost will be. He said interior demolition work could start in November or December. He said the project could be completed in about 12 months if there aren't any unforeseen developments.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.