$132 million project planned for Johnson City UHS
JOHNSON CITY (WBNG) — A major expansion is coming to the UHS in Johnson City. Boyd added the expansion will create 70 new jobs in the area. UHS got input from their employees on the dimensions and work flow of the designed new emergency room. Vice president of community relations Christina Boyd tells 12 News these additions will help serve the Broome County area. “We mocked up the emergency room, and brought our staff in there, and got them to give us feedback on the size of the rooms, the placement of different equipment,” Boyd says. The healthcare provider says it will be investing $132 million into a six-story building. Construction is expected to begin this fall. Boyd expects the project to be completed within the next three or four years.
A helipad, new emergency room and more is to be included in the project. “It’s also going to be, I think, a magnet for healthcare professionals at all levels. I think this facility will really be a game-changer,” Duncan says. UHS says the the expansion is funded through the Broome County Industrial Development Agency. Executive director Stacey Duncan believes this expansion could be bigger than just a building. “The needs of those patients was a significant part of what we had in mind when we began looking at this new structure,” Boyd says.
The Board of Trustees for the Village of Endicott voted three to two to approve a change to the zoning law. “The vote taken last Thursday by the Board, has NO impact on whether the battery recycling facility will be allowed to operate in the Village of Endicott. The Department of Environmental Conservation, issued the only facility permit that is required. Information about their thorough review and findings can be found on the Village website. In a statement sent to 12 News, Mayor Jackson said the following: ENDICOTT (WBNG) — Endicott Mayor Linda Jackson says a vote taken by the Village Board Thursday has no impact on whether SungEel’s controversial battery recycling facility can operate in the village.
This code change was meant to clarify and add restrictions to protect the Village for all current and future recycling facilities operating in our Industrial Zone. A building permit for SungEel is being granted with or without these stricter recycling guidelines or restrictions. The only thing this misinformed group and petition can accomplish is to defeat the additional protections we are putting in place.” The Department of Environmental Conservation’s approved the permit for the facility earlier this year.
Stay with 12 News for updates as we work on gathering more details on the cause of the fire and the status of the building. One of the residents told us he “didn’t know what had happened, but was told to get out of the building”, and did. According to NY State Troopers at the scene, the fire took place in a 2 story apartment building located at 1397 Rt. 11. There are no confirmed injuries at this time, and the extent of damage is still being investigated. 
KIRKWOOD (WBNG) — A house fire on US route 11 in Kirkwood has closed off access to the road Sunday afternoon. Police told 12 News all of the occupants have been safely removed from the building. 