State Funds Sought for Johnson City Arch
Johnson City officials are looking for funding sources to cover the cost of renovating the Square Deal arch.
The structure, which was erected by Endicott Johnson shoe workers in 1920, is in need of repair.
Mayor Greg Deemie said only one of the three decorative lights is working on the arch, which is on Main Street at the Binghamton city line. He said there apparently is an electrical issue inside the arch itself that has affected the operation of the lights.
The mayor said an engineering study was done recently after some of the stone on part of the arch began to crumble.
Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Deemie said the state Department of Transportation helped the village to stabilize the structure after the deterioration was observed.
The cost of needed repairs to the arch could run into the "hundreds of thousands" of dollars, according to the mayor. He said he has contacted state lawmakers in an effort to find some money to pay for the work.
Deemie said the condition of the arch is being monitored but it appears to be safe at this time.
Broome County historian Gerald Smith said the arch and a similar structure in Endicott were built and paid for by Endicott Johnson workers.
The Endicott arch was widened a few decades ago as part of a traffic improvement project on East Main Street.
The two arches were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
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