$31 Million Project at Johnson City Philadelphia Sales Site

An empty lot in the village of Johnson City is being transformed into a housing complex that will have 72 apartments and some commercial space.

Construction crews started work at the site at 333 Grand Avenue about three months ago.

The $31 million project is being developed on a four-acre lot that had been home to a Philadelphia Sales Company store and a foundry for several decades.

The store closed its doors in 2008, about 40 years after the foundry was shut down.

The general contractor for the project is U.W. Marx Construction Company of Troy. Project superintendent Tim Browne told WNBF News on Thursday that things were pretty much on schedule.

Browne said he expect the construction work on the complex will be completed by the end of next year, if the weather cooperates.

The property has been idle since the closure of Philadelphia Sales, which had been a popular discount store. The village of Johnson City had considered building a public works department facility at the site but those plans were scrapped.

Regan Development acquired the property from the village for $1.1 million. The company has been awarded nearly $10 million in state funding to support work on the housing complex.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: The aroma of the legendary Philadelphia Sales popcorn was not detected during a visit to the site of the old discount store on December 12, 2024.

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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.