Developer Fights Move to Tear Down West Endicott EJ Building

A man who wanted to develop senior housing at an abandoned Endicott Johnson factory in the town of Union doesn't want the structure demolished.

Alvaro Munoz of Odin Properties near Philadelphia has been trying to persuade local officials to allow him to move forward on the project for the massive building on North Page Avenue.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program on Monday, Munoz said $500,000 had been spent on initial efforts to prepare for the project. He said $10 million in financing had been secured for the redevelopment effort.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar this month said he believes the building is in such bad shape that it will have to be torn down. But Munoz said he has an engineering report that concludes the building is stable and could be redeveloped.

Garnar said he expected to have an announcement in the next month or so about plans to demolish the old building.

Munoz is continuing to fight foreclosure proceedings in court. He contends there was a "tax misunderstanding" and the property should be returned to him. A federal court hearing on his appeal is scheduled for February 15.

Munoz contends town of Union officials want the building torn down and the site cleared so National Pipe and Plastics can move its offices from Vestal to West Endicott. The old EJ building is located next to National Pipe's factory.

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

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