Old IBM Endicott Buildings Could Be Removed for Battery Factory

Endicott's mayor is expressing hope that former IBM buildings that are crumbling along North Street may be torn down for a future lithium-ion battery production facility.

Linda Jackson on Monday indicated she is optimistic that the unused structures east of McKinley Avenue could be removed to provide space for the planned battery factory.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Jackson suggested the deteriorating buildings might be taken down for the project.

The mayor indicated that the Broome County Land Bank could provide assistance in lining up funding for what would be a very costly demolition job.

Endicott residents have long been proud of the village's designation as "The Birthplace of IBM." The Armonk-based company sold the site to a group of Broome County businessmen nearly two decades ago.

Land Bank executive director Jessica Haas said because the property involved is privately owned as part of the Huron Campus, the organization "wouldn’t be in a position to discuss demolishing it quite yet."

Huron Real Estate Associates president Christopher Pelto could not be reached to discuss the matter Monday afternoon. Huron has been seeking a buyer for the Endicott site that had been home to IBM's once-massive manufacturing complex.

Shailesh Upreti, who is developing the battery production facility, said the space now occupied by the old IBM buildings would not be needed for the initial phase of the operation. But, he said, it could be useful as operations are brought up to scale.

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

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