New Use Planned for Binghamton After-Hours Building

A property on Binghamton's West Side that gained notoriety after a killing outside an illegal after-hours club may soon have a new, legitimate business.

Signs in the building at 223 Main Street stated a public hearing was to be held Monday afternoon as part of the site plan review process for the property.

The signs state a swap shop is to be established in the structure, which is located at the corner of Main Street and Orton Avenue.

The building is owned by J & N Realty of BC. Company principal Jalal Zuwiyya said the planned swap shop would be operated by David Brownlee.

An application for the business was submitted to the city by Triple Cities Buy Sell Trade Incorporated. Signs already on the building may have to be changed to conform with city regulations.

Brownlee could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Following the April 22 killing of 22-year-old Brandon Hernandez, Binghamton officials cited the owner of the Main Street property for illegal land use. A lockdown warning letter also was issued indicating the city was prepared to go to court to shut down the site for up to one year.

Two people later were charged for allegedly violating the law by selling alcohol in the illegal after-hours club.

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