George Harvey Justice Building Rededication

(BINGHAMTON, NY)Today,Broome CountyExecutive Barbara J.Fiala was joined by former County Legislator Arthur Schafer, C & S Architects and Engineers, county Legislators and staff for the rededication of the George Harvey Justice Building. The historic county property sat vacant for nearly ten years in downtown Binghamton before the county used $17 million in tobacco settlement dollars to refurbish the justice building. Originally built 1939 to house county departments and the jail, the building was later named after George Harvey, a dedicated building and grounds employee who never missed a day of work in his 55 years of service.

“We have anxiously awaited the completion of construction and the reopening of the George Harvey Justice Building,” said Broome County Executive Barbara J. Fiala. “It really is remarkable to look back on the condition of the building before construction began and what looks like today. By investing into this vacant and deteriorating building, we will now save taxpayers a half million dollars in rent each year.”

Monies leftover from the project have been dedicated to the new Science Building on the campus of Broome Community College.

Former Broome County Legislator Arthur Schafer who retired in 2008 after serving the county for over 23 years was supportive of the project early on. “When Barbara was elected and was in support of reopening this building I stood with her and I am really glad I did,” said Schafer. “This is another example of consolidation, housing probation, the DA’s office and the Public Defender in a safe and central location.”

Work on the building began in April 2007. Re-entry of county departments will begin this November and the building is scheduled to open to the public before January 1st. The Probation Department will be housed on the first, second and third floors of the building. The District Attorney's office will be located on the fourth and fifth floors and the Public Defenders office will move into the sixth and seventh floors.

Ron Peckham President of C&S Construction and Engineers thanked the county for allowing them to spearhead the project during the ceremony. “Broome county leaders provided the vision for this project,” said Peckham. Adding, “A vision to restore a historic building, reinvest in downtown and consolidate service into this central location.”

The period furnishings found in the building were restored and reused. Light fixtures, mail shoots, marble casings and the large art deco railing that exists in the entryway leading up to the second floor provide a historic feel in the newly renovated space.

Posted: 10/26/2009 3:59 pm

Copyright

Official County Government Site of Broome County, New York.
Copyright © 2000-2008 Broome County. All Rights Reserved.
Comments or suggestions? Please e-mail the goBroomeCounty.com web site administrator
RSS Feed | Email This Page | Print This Page | Back To Top | Login