As efforts continue to keep Boscov's in Binghamton, a former city planning director wants to know more about who actually owns the building where the store is located.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
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Tarik Abdelazim had questioned whether the downtown property actually is owned by the Broome County Industrial Development Agency.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Abdelazim said ownership reports filed by the IDA don't list the Court Street parcels being used by Boscov's.

Abdelazim noted Mayor Richard David has said the properties are owned by the IDA. He said he raised the questions about the ownership issue at Wednesday night's city council meeting.

An excerpt from Broome County property records of 11 Court Street in Binghamton.
An excerpt from Broome County property records for 11 Court Street in Binghamton.
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Abdelazaim, who opposed David in the 2017 mayoral election, described the situation as "very strange."

David is seeking state money to pay for repairs to the Court Street property. He has said the "building is literally falling down and crumbling around the store."

Part of the Boscov's men's department was closed off due to water coming from the ceiling on December 4, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Part of the Boscov's men's department was closed off due to water coming from the ceiling on December 4, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Last April, the city announced Boscov's had signed a one-year lease extension to continue operating the Binghamton store.

LISTEN to Tarik Abdelazim on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program on March 7, 2019.

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

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