Demolition of old IBM Country Club starts in town of Union

UNION, N.Y. — Demolition of the former IBM Country Club at 4301 Watson Blvd. in the town of Union began Oct. 20 to make way for a new affordable-housing project.

Officials from The Agency, Broome County, and the town of Union were on hand when the demolition began. LeChase Construction, Delta Engineers, and Gorick Construction are overseeing the demolition, which is expected to take between eight and 10 weeks. The Agency officials selected LeChase to oversee the demolition project including consultation with the state’s Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to obtain the proper approvals to move forward with the project.

Once the site is ready, Conifer/LeChase can begin construction on the housing project. A groundbreaking for the housing project is expected to take place in late spring 2023.

“While we greatly value the history of the former IBM Country Club, it is time to create a new future at this site,” Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance which includes The Agency, said in a news release. “I’m grateful for the support of Broome County and the town of Union as well as SHPO to recognize that we needed a collaborative approach to advance this much needed redevelopment.”

During the year-long approval process, The Agency and LeChase identified opportunities to preserve as many artifacts from the former country club as possible. They salvaged several items and donated them to the Endicott Heritage Museum. The Agency and LeChase will work with Broome County and the town to offer a “get a brick” day for community members who would like to keep a piece of the historic Crocker Homestead.

The project is made possible through a public-private partnership. The Agency purchased the building in 2021, and the town and county are supporting the project with $2 million in funding for the demolition.

“For many years, the IBM Country Club was a place where families could gather and where longtime friendships were formed,” said Broome County Legislature Chairman Dan J. Reynolds. “Unfortunately, flooding in years of neglect decimated the facility and it became dilapidated, dangerous, and one of the worst eyesores in Broome County. This demolition will pave the way for a new high quality affordable housing development that will represent the resilience of our community for years to come.”

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar acknowledged that while thousands of families in the community have fond memories of the former IBM Country Club, the site has become one of the county’s biggest eyesores. The partnership between the county, The Agency, the town of Union, LeChase, and Conifer launches a new chapter for the site, he added.

“The town of Union is pleased to see this blighted area given new life,” Union Town Supervisor Rick Materese said. “While we recognize that we are losing a piece of our history in the demolition of this building, we are beginning a new history for this area. Our preceding days will live in our memories, but we are making a conscious decision to move into the future rather than dwell in the past.”

The redevelopment of the site addresses a long-term goal shared by the county and The Agency to provide the area with affordable housing to support the growth of the community.