Binghamton Wants Proposals for Site Across from City Hall

City of Binghamton officials want to find a more productive use for a prime piece of downtown real estate.

The site at Collier and Hawley streets has been used as a parking lot since December 2016. The lot was opened after the closed Collier Street parking garage was demolished earlier that year.

Mayor Jared Kraham last week told WNBF News that the city was preparing to seek redevelopment proposals for the property, which is slightly less than an acre in size.

On Friday, the mayor formally announced the city is requesting proposals.

Speaking earlier on the Binghamton Now program, Kraham said the city was looking for a better use for the parcel. He said "I don't think that the highest and best use of that is a surface parking lot."

The mayor said he believes the property can be put back on the tax rolls to "create jobs and have some type of development."

Kraham said he didn't have a specific type of project in mind. He said no one had approached the city with a plan for the site.

The mayor said he would like to see something involving "new commercial activity" that also could include residential and parking components.

Kraham also indicated he would like to see a project that wouldn't be "too tall," completely obscuring the courthouse and old municipal building. Those historic structures came into view to people entering the downtown area after the old parking ramp was removed.

The city will accept redevelopment proposals for the site through October 2.

LISTEN: Mayor Jared Kraham discussed the Collier Street parcel on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program on May 3, 2024.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.