Apartments Planned for Old EJ “Dinosaur” Building in Johnson City

A Syracuse developer is finalizing plans for a mixed-used project to bring another abandoned Endicott Johnson building back to life.

The old brick structure at 19 Avenue B in Johnson City has been idle for several years. It once was the shoe manufacturer's Box Toe Factory. It was last used by the Volunteers of America as a warehouse and small store.

The west side of the building features a large black-and-white dinosaur mural.

Local and state officials at one point contemplated a plan to turn the place into a craft beer packaging and distribution center. That idea never moved forward.

In 2021, the Johnson City village board agreed to sell the site to Paulus Development of Syracuse for $100,000.

Company president Matthew Paulus reportedly had been considering a project that would put about 30 apartments in the building, which is located just south of the recently-opened Victory Lofts complex.

Paulus told WNBF News his company has "solidified the majority" of its plans for the property. He said "we have a great mixed-use project planned for that site."

The developer said the goal is to "further increase the economic activity in Johnson City."

Paulus said he hopes the new project will strengthen the connections between recent development on both sides of Main Street in the village.

The old factory site is located near the Binghamton University Health Sciences Campus and UHS Wilson Medical Center.

Paulus said he expects to announce details of the project soon. Although there's no timetable yet, he said he'd like work to start at the site by next summer.

VIDEO: A two-minute tour around the abandoned EJ factory on Avenue B in Johnson City.

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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.