New Push to Redevelop Binghamton's "Castle on the Hill"

The iconic building known as "The Castle" on the East Side of Binghamton may finally be brought back to life.

The structure that was constructed in 1858 to serve as the New York State Inebriate Asylum has been silent since 1993. It's located at what is now the Greater Binghamton Health Center at the end of Robinson Street.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said there have been discussions with state officials over the last several months about marketing "The Castle on the Hill."

The Greater Binghamton Health Center is located at 425 Robinson Street. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Nearly two decades ago - in 2007 - SUNY Upstate Medical University announced plans to use the site as a clinical campus for students.

The university said it would use the 85,000-square-foot building as a medical and health professional education center. The state had allocated $12.5 million for the initial phase of the project but Upstate Medical University officials eventually scrapped the plans.

In 2015, Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger announced the school intended to take stewardship of The Castle for redevelopment. But nothing happened.

Garnar told WNBF News Thursday the East Side site "offers a lot of potential" for much-needed housing.

He said there are some "huge empty buildings" behind The Castle that could be redeveloped for residential use.

The county executive said some developers have toured the property to assess its potential for a future project. He said "there's actually a lot of interest" in the site.

People familiar with the former Binghamton Psychiatric Center campus have been told there are plans to tear down several vacant buildings east of The Castle.

Garnar said he's "not sure" whether the state is preparing to tear down some unused structures on the property. He said "there is a very large Tudor building" that might be slated for demolition but he was not certain.

In recent years, state officials have been secretive about most aspects of the Binghamton site.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.

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