Renovation Work Continues at Vestal Parkway Inn

Broome County is continuing to use a Vestal motel for emergency housing despite problems that had been documented by the town's code enforcement department.

Vestal town supervisor Maria Sexton last month said inspections of the Parkway Inn had revealed "horrific conditions" with serious safety violations.

Sexton said many of the motel's rooms were "simply not habitable." She said in some cases "there were children living in closets" and kids "sleeping on the floor" in the middle of the day.

A sign near the entrance to the Parkway Inn in Vestal. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

County Executive Jason Garnar criticized Sexton for the way the situation was being handled. He said he was concerned people would be "thrown out" of the motel while repairs were being made.

In a WNBF News interview Thursday, Garnar said it's his understanding "that the owner has gone above and beyond the code issues" that were found at the Parkway Inn. He said he believes the town is preparing to reinspect the motel to ascertain current conditions.

Workers were installing new equipment in several rooms at the Parkway Inn on August 6, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Emergency housing facilities in the county have received increased scrutiny after three children and three adults died as the result of a June 22 fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell.

Garnar said the county is continuing to pay the Parkway Inn to provide emergency housing but there aren't as many people staying at the motel now compared to before the code violations were discovered.

Several old toilets which had been removed from rooms at the Parkway Inn. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

A Parkway Inn representative said repair work is continuing on one of the motel's buildings.

Garnar said the county now is leasing about 300 dwelling units to provide housing for those in need. Some rooms are being used by individuals and some are being occupied by families, meaning several hundred people are in need of emergency housing on any given day.