The Broome County Legislature is agreeing to moving some government offices into former retail space at the Oakdale Mall.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
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Lawmakers voted unanimously May 16 to move some Department of Social Services operations into the old Sears store in Johnson City.

That part of the mall is owned separately and office space would be leased by the county from Spark Broome LLC.

Sears closed in 2017 and the hulking piece of real estate has been vacant ever since.

Spark Broome, owned by the Matthews Development Group, would make the necessary renovations to accommodate the DSS offices Office of Employment and Training.

A 13-year lease would start at $540,000 with a 2.5% annual rent hike.

County officials have said the move could help the remaining stores in the mall and possibly help attract new retailers with the increased foot traffic from government workers and clients.

 

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