Court Street House Demolition Opposed by Preservation Group

A plan to tear down a 139-year-old house on Court Street in downtown Binghamton to clear the site is being fought by the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier.

The organization's board of directors voted to express "strong opposition" to the demolition of the building at 188 Court Street - across from the Phelps Mansion Museum.

In a letter to a city commission, the preservation group said the "modest residence served as the first haberdashery" in Binghamton. Since it was built in 1885, "there have been minimal alterations to the structure."

The "distinctive materials, architectural features and examples of fine craftsmanship remain intact," according to the message sent to the Commission on Architecture and Urban Design.

Commission chairman John Darrow said action on the demolition plan was tabled at Tuesday's meeting at the request of the property owner.

Philip Akel wants permission to demolish the building to provide more parking for a neighboring building. FGR Realty of Vestal acquired the property from Martha Lyons. The house was sold for $120,000 about three months ago.

Akel has declined to discuss his plans for the property with WNBF News.

The house is next door to a building at 184 Court Street. That's where the Akel family opened its first Giant Food Market in December 1932.

The family continues to own that building, which now is being used for mental health services provided by Guthrie.

Darrow said the city commission is governed by state guidelines that stipulate it cannot approve demolition of a building for the sole purpose of developing a parking lot.

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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.