JC Air Force Plant Turned into Park-Like Site

An abandoned Broome County industrial site is beginning to look like a park following a nearly $20 million demolition project.

Crews at the property that once was home to BAE Systems near Johnson City are close to completing work.

The Town of Union complex that was officially known as Air Force Plant 59 was heavily damaged by the massive flooding in September 2011. BAE Systems moved its local operations from the Westover site to the Huron Campus in Endicott.

The federal government is paying for the demolition of the 600,000-square-foot facility. An environmental assessment for the work was estimated at $1.2 million and the cost of tearing down the complex was expected to be at least $17.3 million.

In recent days, large tractor-trailer dump trucks have continued to haul away dirt from the 27-acre site at 600 Main Street. Grass has started to grow on much of the property.

Town of Union officials have been considering a range of options for the site. The town has developed an "action plan" that explored what the site might be transformed into under a mixed-use development concept.

The Broome County Industrial Development Agency will be considering future plans for the property. Executive director Kevin McLaughlin said a formal transfer of the site from the Air Force could occur in the next month or two.

McLaughlin said a study likely will be launched to review all options for the land.

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