24-Unit Apartment House Planned for Site of Binghamton Fire

A Brooklyn man wants to construct a four-story mixed-use building on an empty lot on Binghamton’s South Side.

Michael Abettan is seeking city permission to build the structure at 159 Conklin Avenue. The property has been vacant since fire tore through a residential building in February 2022.

Abettan said his planned project would have 24 apartments on the upper floors of the building. He said there would be 12 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom units. The ground floor would have about 2,700 square feet of general retail space.

At a Binghamton planning commission meeting, Abettan said the building would overlook the Susquehanna River.

The project plans call for 15 parking spaces at the site. A waiver would be needed because that’s less parking than required under existing city regulations.

An attorney representing Abettan said the building would not be “particularly geared toward students” in that there would be no amenities planned that “students typically want.”

The planning commission has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed project for December 3 at City Hall.

The building that had been at the site was owned by Isaac Anazaroot of Brooklyn. The fire-damaged structure was ordered demolished immediately after the blaze was extinguished.

A Connecticut woman was accused of arson in connection with the fire. A jury acquitted her of all charges in April 2023.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: [email protected]. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.