Johnson City, NY (WBNG Binghamton) - More than 20 local business and non-profit offices are packing up and shipping out.
The building they rent space in has serious code violations in Johnson City.
As Action News reporter Natalie Jenereski explains, the move is frustrating for tenants and village leaders.
John Stark posts a sign that his musical instrument business is moving from Johnson City to Binghamton.
He could be forced to leave his office at 435 Main Street, along with more than 20 other businesses.
"With school just starting, it couldn't be a worse time," said Stark.
The village cited the NYPenn Trade Center in April for numerous code violations, including an inoperable furnace and a defective sprinkler system.
"We inspected it twice. Nothing had been corrected," said Ken Jennison, senior code officer for the Village of Johnson City.
Code enforcement officers have not even heard from Southside Storage, the company that owns the building.
"Since they have ignored us, we have pushed into the court system to have them correct it, or have them board it up," said Jennison.
Frustrated tenants showed up at the Village of Johnson City court Wednesday to voice their concerns at a court hearing, only to find that hearing had been postponed.
That's because the defense was granted an adjournment prior to the hearing.
"They didn't even have the temerity to show up in open court to face some of the tenants that were there," said Paul Kaminski, a tenant of the building.
The worst part for the tenants is not knowing if they have to move.
Ken Jennison confirmed it is inevitable.
"We do not want to put out business. We want business in Johnson City. The problem is we want to make sure the business and clients of that business are safe," said Jennison.
Southside Storage has filed for bankruptcy related to the NYPenn Building.
In Johnson City, Natalie Jenereski, WBNG-TV Action News.
Calls to Southside Storage attorneys were not returned.
Another court hearing date for the code case and bankruptcy filing has yet to be set.
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