Binghamton Receiving Inquiries About Downtown Parcel

A parcel in center city Binghamton is generating interest among some potential buyers.

The property at the corner of Court and State streets is being sold by the city. The site has been vacant since the O'Neil and Ross buildings were torn down after they fell into disrepair.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]Mayor Richard David says he's "excited" with the initial response to the city's request for proposals.

David says he believes city residents "will be surprised at the level of interest." He says the reaction has been better than he expected.

David said crews removed some of the remaining snow from the site Friday so prospective buyers might get a more accurate view of the property.

City officials are hoping the site could be developed in a way that would take advantage of some of the other downtown retail and student housing projects that have become a reality in recent years.

The green space was in the news for a few months in late 2011 when it served as the site of the Occupy Binghamton tent encampment. Protesters were allowed to stay on the city-owned property until they were evicted in January 2012.