Residential construction project on IBM Country Club site stalled

Plans to build a 75-unit apartment complex at the former site of the legendary IBM Country Club near Johnson City are on hold due to financing problems.

The dilapidated buildings on the abandoned country club property on Watson Boulevard in the city of Union were demolished in late 2022.

It has been nearly two and a half years since the Broome County Local Development Corporation gave Conifer Realty and LeChase Construction the green light to redevelop the site.

Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance, said Conifer submitted its proposal to the state Housing and Community Renewal Agency last spring under the low-income housing tax credit program.

Duncan told WNBF News that Conifer’s project was not among the projects selected in the last round of the program.

She said the county expects Conifer Realty to resubmit its application in the fall. She said the developer has an option to purchase the property until the end of this year. The proposed sale price for the property is $300,000.

Duncan said if Conifer decides not to proceed with the apartment complex, the county will look for other development options for the site.

When the $15 million housing plan was announced, Duncan said economic development officials had hoped for a “fast-moving project.” Although it now appears to be “a slower-moving project,” she said the county remains committed to “bringing new life to this site.”

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A two-minute walk through the once magnificent grounds of the IBM Country Club on June 27, 2024.

Contact WNBF news reporter Bob Joseph: [email protected]. Current news and updates on current topics can be found at @BinghamtonNow on twitter.