City lawmakers have approved a plan to spend $62,000 to tear down a Binghamton apartment house that sustained fire damage.

The three-story building at 38 Columbus Park East was the first target in a series of four arson incidents in March.

The day after the blaze, city officials sent a letter to advise the property owner he had 30 days to start repair work or the structure would be demolished.

The owner at one point indicated he hoped to remove the damaged front section of the building and make repairs.

Mayor Richard David said it now appears the structure isn't going to be salvaged.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, David said the owner had challenged the city's assessment that the building was structurally unsafe.

City council has authorized the demolition and the mayor has signed the resolution. The city will seek to recover the cost for the work from the owner.

Property records show the building is owned by Abraham Nyameh of Brooklyn. He could not be reached to comment on the demolition order.

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

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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