City of Binghamton “Essential” Construction Still On-track
The City of Binghamton says, while New York remains on “pause” with businesses closed and many projects sidelined, some city projects are still moving forward.
Work on the parking garage on Hawley Street, the green roof system and repairs at City Hall, street paving, a new downtown fire station and rehabilitation at the Joint Sewage Treatment Plant that are beginning or continuing in the next 60 days are allowed as essential under the Governor’s Executive Order as well as the current Family Enrichment Network homeless housing development and the Canal Plaza grocery store on the north side.
Mayor Richard David says his office has worked with state officials over the past few weeks to verify and designate which municipal and public-private projects can advance.
The Republican says the projects support critical local infrastructure, housing and municipal operations while creating jobs and keeping people earning wages.
The projects that are deemed essential still have to follow social distancing and cleaning/disinfecting protocols.
Some of the developments that are being placed on the back burner and only continue in the planning and design phases are the construction of new tennis courts at Recreation Park, an ice rink at the park on the west side, upgrades to the Washington Street Mall and improvements to Columbus Park.
The plans can still change depending on how things progress with the pandemic, state mandates and regulations and available funding.