Abandoned Endicott Kmart store to be refurbished and refurbished

The old Kmart building in the old Endicott Plaza, which was once slated for demolition, is about to come back to life.

Village officials had drawn up plans to demolish the abandoned store which closed without notice when it was shuttered by floods in September 2011.

Kmart initially announced plans to reopen the Endicott operation, but that changed as the retailer found itself closing other stores as it struggled to survive.

The New Jersey-based owners of the once vibrant Endicott Plaza have been trying to find a buyer for the 18-acre property for several years without success.

Now, Endicott Mayor Linda Jackson said Green Mountain Electric Supply is considering acquiring the site for a warehouse operation.

Jackson said the Vermont-based company is “getting its finances in order” and the sale is expected to close early next year.

In 2018, the Village of Endicott received state funding to help defray the cost of demolishing the old Kmart building.

But officials determined the place remained structurally sound, and the decision to demolish the old store was halted.

Jackson hopes some of the state money that had been allocated for the planned demolition can now be used to renovate the building.

The mayor said a new roof was needed. She said the company plans to plant grass and trees on part of the square’s former site. A walking path is also to be constructed for use by students from Jennie F. Snapp Middle School, which is just west of the property.

Contact Bob Joseph, WNBF News reporter: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For the latest story development news and updates, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.