Falling Concrete Closes Entrance to Court Street Building

Barricades have been placed around the main entrance to a landmark downtown Binghamton building after a chunk of concrete fell to the sidewalk.

A City Hall spokesman said no injuries were reported in the incident at the First National Bank building at 95 Court Street. He said public works crews barricaded the area to protect pedestrians.

A representative of the property owner said the issue was reported Friday morning. He said a small piece from a ledge near the top of the building fell to the ground. He said the incident apparently happened overnight.

The problem may have been caused by moisture. The owner's representative said a street work permit has been obtained and a lift will be brought to the site early next week so an inspection can be performed.

Similar issues have been reported in the past at the building, which was constructed in 1929.

The sidewalk was closed in the same spot in 2014 after chunks of cement fell to the sidewalk. The building was vacant at that time.

Renovations were made to the street level section of the structure last year to attract new tenants to the building.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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