BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — The battle between the Binghamton Plaza and the City of Binghamton ended in 2024 after a ruling in favor of the City’s eminent domain case granted the property rights to the city.
On May 13, the City of Binghamton will host a virtual webinar at 5:30 p.m., covering the basics of brownfield redevelopment projects and starting public engagement with the Binghamton Plaza project.
As a valuation is underway, the city does not officially own the property.
City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham spoke of residents’ potential involvement.
“We want residents to be very informed and engaged in what the process is, all of the different state agencies we coordinate with and work with,” said Kraham. “… I’ve long said that the Binghamton Plaza for decades has been a place where we have a lot more potential than what’s been there. I’m really interested in hearing from residents their ideas but also sharing how the process works”.
Although the virtual webinar isn’t until May 13 at 5:30 p.m., one resident who spoke with 12 News said he hopes to see more shopping opportunities in the plaza.
“I think some more activities need to come to the Binghamton Plaza. Maybe they should put some more things like a clothing store, you know some more urban wear,” said Yasin Manley.
Despite the city’s plans to renovate Binghamton Plaza, 64 people currently hold full-time jobs at its businesses.
Binghamton Plaza Property Manager John Tokos spoke with 12 News and said that two businesses have already left because of the uncertainty surrounding the plaza’s future.
“They’re leaving all of our tenants, and we’re in the dark about everything,” said Tokos. “All of our tenants are in the dark; they want longer leases, and we’ve already lost two stores recently. “
Tokos added that the businesses wanted to sign longer leases, but that uncertainty has deterred them.
“They want 3-year or 5-year leases, so they don’t want to sign leases because they don’t know what is going to happen,” noted Tokos.
Tokos mentioned that more happens at the Binghamton Plaza than people think, including hundreds of people visiting on the weekend for a flea market that over 100 vendors attend.
He also mentioned that the plaza offers amenities only available on the north side of Binghamton.
“There’s the only daycare and only bank on this side of town and the only place to eat is New York Pizzeria. People come down here on weekends, I mean there’s hundreds and hundreds of people here,” said Tokos.
Concerns about the Plaza’s construction have been raised due to the environmental effects of the site’s construction on a former landfill.
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