The place that was home to a Johnson City fraternal organization for more than eight decades is being demolished by Binghamton University.

A building at 22 Lewis Street stood in the way of the university's plans to establish a buffer zone near its Health Sciences Campus.

Gorick Construction workers expect the project to tear down the building will be completed by the end of the week.

Johnson City Unity Lodge No. 970 sold the property to the Binghamton University foundation last October for $390,000.

The university has plans to develop a park between its facilities on Corliss Avenue and the Main Street business district.

Most of the existing buildings that had been on Lewis Street were acquired for demolition for the green space project.

After the old lodge is torn down, the only remaining structure on the street will be a three-story apartment house at 26 Lewis Street.

The university has wanted to acquire that building to clear the way for the planned park but the owner won't sell. A person familiar with the owner's position Tuesday said the owner is "not interested in selling it." He said the owner "loves the people" who live there and wants them to be able to remain in the building.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.