Binghamton Mayor: Masonic Temple Likely Can’t Be Saved

The abandoned Masonic Temple building on Binghamton's West Side probably will have to be demolished.

That's the view of Mayor Jared Kraham, who in the past held out hope that the historic structure on Main Street could be restored and brought back to life.

Watch the WNBF News videos at the end of this article.

Kraham told WNBF News Friday "there is not a reasonable way" that property can be rehabilitated."

The mayor noted in the past he believed some type of "major institution" like a university could develop a viable project for this building, which opened to the public in 1923.

Kraham said the cost of remediation and rehabilitation "would so exceed its marketable use that I don't see a future for that building other than demolition."

He suggested the Masonic Temple site along with the neighboring property where a Dollar General store operated briefly could represent a "commercial development opportunity."

The mayor stressed he doesn't have a specific vision in mind for the Main Street location at this time. He acknowledged the cost of demolition would be "substantial."

The structure just west of Binghamton High School has been vacant for decades and has been an eyesore for the neighborhood.

Police frequently were called to deal with people trespassing inside the building. The property has been better secured since firefighters were called to battle an arson blaze in March 2025.

The property now is owned by Sharestates, a Long Island real estate investment firm. It's listed online with an asking price of $150,000.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A brief inspection of the Masonic Temple building from June 2023.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Binghamton firefighters battled an arson blaze inside the Masonic Temple on March 7, 2025.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.