“Notorious Eyesore” in Binghamton Neighborhood Vanishes

A graffiti-marred vacant apartment house on Binghamton's West Side is no more.

The troubled structure at 26 Seminary Avenue disappeared over the weekend, more than a decade after it was purchased by a Long Island man.

People in the neighborhood said the dilapidated building was torn down Saturday, shortly after the walls started to lean precariously.

The owner - Isaac Levin - did not respond to phone calls seeking comment Monday.

A person who was walking his dog near the building Saturday morning heard a loud noise coming from the structure. It was unclear if people had been working inside the building at the time.

Yellow tape was placed around the property and a NYSEG crew shut off power to the building. Demolition crews tore down the structure a short time later.

Mayor Richard David last February described the building as "a notorious eyesore."

Levin had said his plans to redevelop the property had been halted by the city. He said he and the city had spent thousands of dollars in a long-running court battle over the site.

The property is in city councilwoman Dani Cronce's district. On WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Monday, expressed surprise that the building was finally gone. She said the structure had posed a safety hazard.

City officials declined to comment on what happened at the site. No one in the mayor's office was available Monday afternoon to discuss the developments. Corporation counsel Kenneth Frank and city engineer Ray Standish were not available Monday afternoon.

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

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