Former mayoral candidate Tarik Abdelazim is calling for a Binghamton City Council review into an assessment reduction for a downtown building owned by Mayor Richard David.

Abdelazim said he was "shocked" when he learned the assessment for a mixed-use building at 45 Court Street owned by the mayor had been cut by 27 percent.

Abdelazim noted the assessment reduction came as David sold a larger building at 60 Court Street for much more than he paid for the property several years earlier.

Tarik Abdelazim during a radio interview on February 5, 2019. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Tarik Abdelazim during a radio interview on February 5, 2019. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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David said when he acquired the property at 45 Court Street in 2006, it was eligible for Empire Zone incentives.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, the mayor said after the incentives had expired, the assessment on the building "was higher than I was told it would be when I purchased the property."

David said he discussed the matter with city assessor Scott Snyder. The mayor said after reviewing the assessment, Snyder concluded there were "some things that are kind of out of whack here, not in line with what they should be."

Binghamton Mayor Richard David on January 8, 2019. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Binghamton Mayor Richard David on January 8, 2019. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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David said Snyder then explained the process involved in seeking a reduced assessment. He said the assessor did a "very thorough analysis" in conducting a review, similar to what's done with "hundreds of properties" in the city "on an annual basis."

Abdelazim contends the mayor "quietly negotiated" the assessment reduction "under suspect circumstances." David said the assessment review was handled appropriately.

LISTEN to Tarik Abdelazim and Richard David discuss the assessment reduction during live interviews on WNBF on February 5, 2019.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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