In an effort to revamp the city’s image, sections of Binghamton are undergoing construction to remove blight from notoriously unappealing areas.
On Aug. 16, Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan announced plans for the construction of a multimillion-dollar housing project in Downtown Binghamton.
This fall, five dilapidated properties on Front and Clinton Streets chosen for the project will be completely renovated. An additional eight homes on Stuyvesant, Tudor, Carroll, Henry, Walnut, Vestal and Mary Streets will be torn down this season. This second stage of renovation follows the destruction of eight houses, which began this summer.
According to Mayor Ryan, the renovations will mean a safer and more enjoyable state of life for both local residents and students living off campus.
‘We’re coordinating these efforts with other strategies and investments in a focused and comprehensive way to truly rebuild healthy, livable neighborhoods,’ Ryan said.
The revitalization of Binghamton can be attributed to the city’s participation in the Restore NY project, a three-year endeavor that was initiated by Governor Pataki last summer.
The project focuses on removing and replacing dangerous and unsightly properties in communities throughout the state. Its goal is to promote economic growth and attract new community members through beautification of the areas under construction.
The state is offering a minimum of $100 million total to cities involved in the project this year. Since last October, the City of Binghamton has received $1.67 million in grants through Restore NY, one of the biggest per-capita grants in the state.
The City Council is also working in collaboration with the First Ward Action Council, a Binghamton-based organization that restores local properties to provide affordable housing. The FWAC is using almost $4 million in tax credits to help finance the work Downtown, primarily focusing on the restoration of the Front Street Gateway.
After the deconstruction is finished, certain cleared properties will be offered to Broome County flood victims first at an affordable price. Other properties will be preserved as green space in the neighborhoods.
Mayor Ryan added that the city intends to submit an additional application to Restore NY that would award significantly more grant money to Binghamton for a third and final phase of renovation.
‘The Restore NY program really opens the door for some smart collaborative development projects,’ he said.