Residents of Binghamton's North Side for the second holiday shopping season are being greeted by an abandoned Kmart store with no sign that anything is going to change.

Kmart closed its Binghamton Plaza store exactly two years ago, leaving several dozen people without jobs just days before Christmas.

The lights were on but the old Kmart store was empty on December 14, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The lights were on but the old Kmart store was empty on December 14, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The large retail complex on West State Street bustled with activity for several decades after it opened in 1963. But the plaza now is mostly empty with only a few small businesses remaining.

Mayor Richard David has said the city was working with the property owner - Galesi Realty Corporation of New Jersey - to develop new concepts for the site.

But Galesi representatives have not responded to repeated requests to comment on what they plan to do with the plaza.

The Kmart logo has been blacked out at the Binghamton Plaza entrance. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The Kmart logo has been blacked out at the Binghamton Plaza entrance. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Councilman Conrad Taylor represents the neighborhood where the plaza is located. He said "the city needs to present a vision" for the site.

Taylor said city officials need "to do better at having an open conversation with North Side community about what the plans are for that property."

The 4th District councilman said he thinks "it would be a great idea" for officials to hold a meeting to for people in the neighborhood to discuss the future of the plaza site.

Kmart announced the closing of the Binghamton Plaza store in September 2016. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Kmart announced the closing of the Binghamton Plaza store in September 2016. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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