Safety Concerns at Binghamton’s Crumbling Masonic Temple Building

People who live and work near the historic Masonic Temple on the West Side of Binghamton are worried about potential dangers posed by the structure.

The building at 64 Main Street has been vacant for decades as a series of redevelopment plans fell through.

Isaac Anzaroot of Brooklyn acquired the property five years ago for about $67,000. He proposed a housing project for the site that called for 38 apartments and 56 bedrooms.

The project never moved forward and the six-story building has remained idle.

Efforts to secure the structure to keep people out have failed for decades. In 2003, the body of a Johnson City woman who had been dead for several days was found in the building's basement.

Anzaroot no longer owns the building since the property was taken in a foreclosure proceeding in March. He had listed the property for sale in June 2021 with an asking price of about $2 million.

Sharestates recently contacted Harkness Commercial Realty Group of Johnson City to sell the property. Robert Harkness said the site now is listed at $400,000.

Shortly after the new "For Sale" sign was posted on the building, Harkness said he was contacted by city officials who indicated they wanted the site cleaned up and secured.

Harkness said a contractor was retained to start to address the issues. He said the effort to secure the building should be completed by the end of the week.

The Masonic Temple structure is located one block west of Binghamton High School.

Mayor Jared Kraham told WNBF News by email he visited the site this week. He was not immediately available to discuss what he believes should happen to the property.

WATCH: WNBF News took a closer look at the Masonic Temple at the corner of Main and Murray streets.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.