Binghamton Mayor Expresses Skepticism Over Salvation Army Plan
Mayor Jared Kraham says he shares some of the concerns being expressed by Binghamton residents about the sale of a closed supermarket building.
The Salvation Army is preparing to acquire a South Side property where a grocery store had operated for more than six decades.
The building at 307 Conklin Avenue was used by Giant markets beginning in 1964. It later became a Weis store when the Akel family sold its business to the Pennsylvania-based company. The Weis market was closed in March 2024.
Representatives of the Salvation Army have told city planning commission members the organization wants to use the former supermarket as a warehouse and distribution center. It also would have a thrift store, replacing a shop the Salvation Army had operated on Griswold Street.
Mayor Kraham said he's heard "a lot of skepticism" about the plan from South Side residents. He said "we're taking a very large commercial property that is probably the best chance for that neighborhood to have a grocery store in the future."
He also noted the property would be removed from the tax rolls if the Salvation Army buys it. He said "that's a concern I would have."
The mayor said South Side residents have been wondering how the proposal would benefit their neighborhood.
Kraham told WNBF News he doesn't believe the Salvation Army plan would be the "best use for that site."
Salvation Army representatives have declined repeated requests to discuss their plans for the property with WNBF News.
The city planning commission is expected to hold a public hearing on the project at its November 9 meeting.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.
LOOK: Bizarre slang words and phrases from every state
Gallery Credit: Stacker
LOOK: The Most Iconic Magazine Covers of the '80s and '90s
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
