City Closes Boscov’s Sidewalk Due to Structural Concerns

Pedestrians are not permitted to use a sidewalk on the east side of Boscov's department store in Binghamton because of safety issues with the building.

The Water Street sidewalk between the store's main entrance on Court Street to a secondary entrance near the city-owned parking garage was closed this week.

Orange barricades from the Binghamton Department of Public Works have been put in place in an effort to prevent people from using the sidewalk.

The action was taken after a person who works nearby noticed a possible problem with a section of concrete on the side of the building. It appeared the piece of concrete had moved and may be coming loose.

A customer pickup entrance on Water Street also has been closed.

Although the barricades had been installed to keep pedestrians off the sidewalk, they had been moved Tuesday evening and people were observed walking next to the store.

There were no signs posted to advise pedestrians that the sidewalk was closed.

Store manager Betsy Reynolds was unable to comment on the situation and a representative at Boscov's corporate office in Reading was not available.

City Hall officials also were not immediately available to discuss the safety concerns and the decision to close the sidewalk.

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

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