Hearings Set For Downtown Binghamton Store Plan

Binghamton officials will accept public comment on plans related to a proposed downtown Ellis Brothers furniture store.

The project is being pursued in the aftermath of a spring fire that ripped through a landmark Water Street store that had been operated by the Ellis family for decades.

Although the owners had hoped to salvage the historic brick structure following the April 30 blaze, engineers determined it was structurally unsound. An emergency demolition was ordered because of safety concerns.

The store owners now are considering developing a new retail complex in a nearby three-story building. They're envisioning a 32,252 square-foot store at the corner of Court and Hawley streets in a structure that once housed a J.C. Penney store.

The property where the fire-damaged building stood would be used for parking. The proposed lot could accommodate up to 15 vehicles.

The Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a hearing on that plan for 5:20 p.m. Tuesday. The city planning commission is to hold hearings on the parking lot proposal and the possible new use for the Hawley Street building next Monday.

City officials say they've been working with the Ellis family to help with the development of store plans following the fire.