Akel Plan to Demolish Downtown Binghamton House Faces Opposition

A Broome County man's proposal to tear down a house on Court Street in downtown Binghamton is facing scrutiny by a city commission.

Philip Akel is seeking permission to demolish the two-story house across from the Phelps Mansion Museum.

The building, which is located at 188 Court Street, was constructed around 1884. Ithad been used as a law office in recent years. It was acquired by FGR Realty in December for $120,000.

A glimpse inside the entranceway to a house at 188 Court Street on March 4, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Akel and his representatives appeared before the Commission on Architecture and Urban Design last month to discuss a plan to tear down the converted residential building. The space then would be turned into a parking lot.

The structure stands just east of a two-story office building also owned by the Akel family's FGR Realty. That building at Court and Jay Streets once was home to Binghamton's first Giant supermarket. It now houses Guthrie's Binghamton mental health unit.

This building at Court and Jay streets now is leased by Guthrie for mental health services. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Commission member John Darrow said "it seems abhorrent" that the panel would "even consider knocking down another residential structure" at a time new housing projects are moving forward nearby.

Darrow said "I don't know why they want to tear something nice down."

An attorney representing Akel said it's been estimated that it would cost more than $125,000 to make the Court Street building habitable again.

Akel declined to comment on the matter when contacted by WNBF News Monday afternoon.

The first Giant Food Markets store opened in this Court Street building in December 1932. (Photo: Broome County Historical Society)

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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.

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