Endicott Art Park on Hold After Objections from Church Members

Plans to develop an art park near Washington Avenue in Endicott are being reevaluated after members of a neighborhood church circulated petitions against the project.

The proposed park was to have been developed on village-owned property just north of Broad Street.

But some people who attend Mass at St. Ambrose Church expressed opposition to the plans because a parking area they regularly use would be eliminated.

Several church members spoke about the project during a village board meeting. They noted the municipal parking lot had been used for many years by people attending Mass and other activities at the church.

One longtime member told WNBF News that the art park plan hadn't been discussed with those who would be affected by it. He said many people learned of the proposal only recently and "it blindsided us."

Endicott Mayor Linda Jackson said the art park "is on hold for right now." She said there has been talk of developing new apartment units near the church. If that happens, she said there would be a need for more parking in the area.

Jackson said there are discussions about developing the art park in a different parking lot or possibly at the old Kmart site where greenspace has been proposed.

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