‘This place needed to come down.’ Broome shares plan for former Endicott motel

The former Red Carpet Inn across from En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott will soon be demolished.

Years after the motel fell into disrepair and was shuttered, and after several development proposals fell through, local leaders announced Wednesday the site has been purchased by the Broome County Land Bank.

“This has been an eyesore in this community for decades,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “For way too long, residents that have beautiful homes have had to deal with this. People come over here and do things they shouldn’t do, it brings down the property values of the neighborhood, not to mention we have a PGA (Tour Champions) golf tournament here. This place needed to come down.”

Garnar said the building’s demolition was a long time coming, and that both residents and visitors would benefit from the building’s removal. The project received $600,000 from Broome County as well as funding from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal program.

The former Red Carpet Inn in Endicott is scheduled to be demolished.

Endicott motel demolition planned, what happens next

The Broome County Legislature unanimously voted to approve funding for the removal of the motel. Legislator Greg Baldwin, a longtime resident of the area who lives two blocks from the motel, said constituents have been reaching out with concerns about the abandoned motel for years.

“Now that it is happening, constituents and everybody here will be ecstatic,” said Baldwin. “This whole neighborhood is going to be totally excited.”

The deal between the Land Bank and the previous owner was facilitated by EXIT Realty, a company which services several counties including Broome County.

The environmental aspect of the process will be organized by Delta Engineers, Architects, Land Surveyors, & Landscape Architects of Endwell, which is currently conducting an environmental site assessment. Delta will be overseeing the project management of the demolition and will also be testing for asbestos before the demolition occurs.

More: Housing or a motel? What we know about proposals to redevelop the old Red Carpet Inn

Endicott motel demolition: Dick’s Open impact

Jessica Haas, the Land Bank’s executive director, said the Land Bank will publicly bid the demolition process. Delta Engineers will be overseeing the bidding process, which will take place “in the next month or two.”

Haas said the demolition will be completed before the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

Haas said that while the focus is currently on the demolition project, there will be a competitive process for redevelopment of the lot, and the Land Bank will accept proposals in the future.

Aaron Martin, chairman of the Broome County Land Bank Board of Directors, said the project would not have been completed without strong collaboration.

“This is exactly the reason the Land Bank was created — to address properties like this,” said Martin. “We are really looking forward to this coming down in the next couple of months.”

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Will Endicott motel demolition near En-Joie impact Dick’s Open?