Binghamton Panel Approves Former Mayor’s “Beer Garden” Plan

The city planning commission has approved a project to construct a building at a vacant downtown Binghamton site for a new bar.

Former mayor Richard David intends to open a business he describes as a "beer garden" on property he owns a couple of blocks from City Hall.

The Royal Lounge and an adult bookstore had been located at the project site at 138-140 Washington Street. The property has been unused since it was cleared following a fire on December 31, 1999.

David bought the site for $50,000 in July 2009 before he became mayor. He has said the new business would be housed in a two-story prefabricated building. The site cannot be seen from Washington Street because of a wooden fence along its west side.

The former mayor said some minor exterior design changes had been made to the planned structure in response to concerns expressed by members of the city Commission on Architecture and Urban Design. He said the goal is to make sure the building blends in "with the neighboring buildings and the neighborhood itself."

The planning commission approved the site plan for the business, which would have just under 2,000 square feet of space.

David said he expects materials needed to construct the building should be delivered to the site within six to eight weeks. He said erection of the structure would probably take about two to three weeks. Interior work would take 30 more days to complete.

The beer garden could open around mid-summer, perhaps in July.

Kristopher Kasmarcik and Mikaila Fargnoli will oversee day-to-day operations of the business.

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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.