The Village of Endicott was host to a press event last week to officially announce the demolition of the former Endicott Inn, located at 214 Washington Ave. in Endicott.
Held nearby the Endicott Inn, the press conference welcomed community leaders and speakers, to include Senator Fred Akshar, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, Town of Union Supervisor Rick Materese, Village of Endicott Mayor John Bertoni, and others.
A press release received by the Village of Endicott explained that prior to becoming the Endicott Inn, the historic hotel built by the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company was known as the Hotel Frederick. It was used to house the guests visiting the new village, which was still under construction. Hotel Frederick opened its doors for business on April 1, 1906.
However, in recent years the once bustling building has not been serving as adequate lodging for guests and has been occupying valuable space on the primary commercial corridor in Endicott.
The release further noted that the demolition of this structure paves the way for a new future for Endicott, an effort the Village, as well as other regional officials have been working diligently on for a number of years.
“I am proud to call Endicott my home and it is my sincere honor to have presided over the Village in my position as Mayor for more than eleven years,” said Village of Endicott Mayor John Bertoni.
He added, “This project is one of many that we have executed or planned that will continue to make Endicott the best place to live, work, and play. I would like to thank my team as well as all those who have helped make this day possible, with a special thanks going to the Marchuska Brothers who pursued this project with the Village.”
The demolition is part of the Restore New York Project, the State Program that encourages community development and neighborhood growth through the elimination and redevelopment of blighted structures in urban cores across the State. Community leaders are excited to celebrate this progression and look forward to future announcements for the property.
Marchuska Brothers Construction, who is the lead on the project, conducted the demolition to bring it to a shovel ready lot for future development.
I hope Endicott officials know their town’s history better than their Press statement. The Hotel Frederic (1906) was across the street on land recently used for Nirchi’s-On-the-Avenue, 215 Washington Ave. Hotel Frederic was demolished in fall 1967.
I wonder if the Endicott officials explained the real reasons why they wanted this recently remodeled building removed? The residents of the building were mainly males receiving government assistance, many had psychological or behavioral problems that set them apart from most members of the community. Endicott didn’t want to deal with these people or have them identified with the Village of Endicott, they advocated for the building’s demolition and the ejection of the residents. Their hope is the former residents will be some other town’s problem.