Tax Breaks for Apartment Project at Old Johnson City High School

A public hearing is to be held on plans to provide significant tax exemptions for the developers of a mixed-use project at the former Johnson City High School.

Mark Lane wants to construct 58 market-rate apartments in the old school building at 435 Main Street.

The former gymnasium building behind the school would be turned into 12,000 square feet of commercial or office space.

The Broome County Industrial Development Agency plans to hold a public hearing on a tax break package for The Lane Group on Tuesday. The session is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. at the Johnson City Village Hall on Lester Avenue.

The IDA will hear comment from those in favor or opposed to the planned financial help for the project. People also will be able to comment on the location or nature of the proposed development.

The three-story Johnson City High School opened at the Main Street site in September 1915. It was used until the new high school on Reynold Road opened in 1970.

In recent years, the property has been owned by McKilligan Industrial Supply and operated as the NY-Penn Trade Center. It has been home to a wide array of tenants, including businesses and churches.

The Lane Group plans call for the creation of 48 one-bedroom apartment and 10 two-bedroom units in the old school.

The total project cost has been estimated at $15.5 million but the actual price tag is expected to be higher. The developer is to receive more than $1.1 million in state funding for the project.

The design, engineering and bidding part of the project is expected to take 12 months to complete. The actual construction of the residential and commercial space likely would take another 24 months to finish.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A two-minute tour of the old high school on Main Street in Johnson City.

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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.