Apartment Plan Gets Mixed Reaction

WEST ENDICOTT, NY - Converting a former Endicott Johnson Shoe Corp. building into student apartments will eliminate an eyesore, some neighbors contend, but others are concerned the apartments will detrimentally affect the neighborhood's demographic. About 20 people spoke at Wednesday night's public hearing in front of Union's town board about changing 4½ acres at North Page Avenue and Maple Street from industrial to residential multifamily/office.

The town planning board recommended the change, but the town board didn't make a decision Wednesday. Supervisor John Bernardo said the board needed time to review comments. A decision most likely will be made at the next Union board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan 7. Developer Stephen Marrone, of Paulsboro, N.J., bought the property three months ago for $450,000 from a mortgage holder, and his preliminary plans call for 150 efficiency apartments that would rent for $600-$700 a month. His attorney, Sarah Grace Campbell, said the apartments would be marketed to Bing-hamton University students.

Marrone said he's been in the construction business for 20 years, but typically builds one- or two-family homes. His largest project previously was an 18-unit apartment building in Philadelphia, he said. Marrone said he would have an on-site manager. Financing needs to be finalized, but Marrone believes he can obtain a loan.

Neighborhood resident Sheila Blume said the former factory is a "death trap" and she has had to call state police to get children out of the building. Blume is in favor of the project and asked those opposed, "If this project doesn't happen, do you think we'd have luxury apartments there?"

Other residents such as Dan Farrell aren't convinced the apartments are what the neighborhood needs. "There are enough units in the apartment building to change the demographic of the neighborhood," Farrell said. He said the neighborhood already has a couple of medium-sized apartment complexes with some "scary tenants."

If the apartments are built, tenants most likely will have to deal with train noise. Behind the building are train tracks that are blocked off by a fence that needs repair, Campbell said. Campbell said special windows could block out some train noise.