Binghamton Hearing Planned on Court St. House Demolition Proposal

A developer's plan to tear down a nearly-140-year-old house in downtown Binghamton to build a parking lot will be the focus of another public hearing.

The city planning commission will again consider the proposal by Philip Akel to demolish the two-story structure at 188 Court Street.

The commission's public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:25 p.m. in the city council chambers.

This building at 184 Court Street now is leased by Guthrie for mental health services. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

FGR Realty acquired the property for $140,000 last December. The company wants to provide more parking spaces for a neighboring office building it owns.

The Commission on Architecture and Urban Design in June gave conditional approval for the demolition of the house if the project would result in a net gain of seven parking spaces.

FGR Realty plans to demolish the vacant house at 188 Court Street to expand this parking lot. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

John Darrow, who chairs that commission, voted against allowing the structure to be removed. He believes the house, which was constructed in 1885, is historically significant.

The house - which last was used as a law office - is directly across the street from the Phelps Mansion Museum.

The house at 188 Court Street is across the street from the Phelps Mansion Museum. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

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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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Filed Under: Binghamton, Binghamton News, Bob Joseph, demolition, Philip Akel

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