Plans for Binghamton Event Venue and Photo Studio Approved

A fire-damaged Binghamton building that's been unused for several years could spring back to life as an event space.

A Broome County husband and wife are planning to establish a new business at the location of the former Crescent Cleaners at 40 Clinton Street in the city's First Ward.

Francisco and Alana Matesanz intend to set up an event venue and photo studio in the building.

Crescent Cleaners had operated a dry cleaning business at the site for more than seven decades before the structure was damaged by a blaze in May 2020.

About three years ago, Matesanz had outlined plans for a pet crematorium for the vacant building.

Everything associated with the old dry cleaning operation was removed in preparation for that business. Matesanz and his wife ultimately decided to develop a different use for the site. They already operate a photo studio on Clinton Street.

The city planning commission has completed its site plan review for the new project. The panel has approved a special use permit to allow the project to move forward.

Matesanz told WNBF News that the event space could be used for things like wedding receptions, baby showers and art shows. He said the goal is to develop "a very nice community space."

While there's no firm timeline for the project, Matesanz said he hopes the new venue could be operational by next spring.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A flashback to three years ago as workers began to remove the rubble from the fire-damaged Crescent Cleaners building.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.