Work on New Binghamton Parking Garage to Start in Summer

Construction of a long-awaited parking facility in downtown Binghamton is expected to get underway within the next few months.

Mayor Richard David said the city is awaiting final action from the state on a grant that will cover part of the project's cost.

Plans for the $12 million multi-use facility at 7 Hawley Street have been scaled back from the original proposal.

The site is owned by the Binghamton Urban Renewal Agency. City council has approved borrowing nearly $9 million for the project, which now is expected to have about 300 parking spaces.

Lawmakers also agreed to use $2.5 million in city funds for the facility.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, David said he had hoped the new parking ramp would be completed by the end of the year. Now, he anticipates the facility could be in service sometime next spring.

The mayor said getting the parking garage project going is "a top priority for us."

In addition to parking, the complex is to include 6,000 square feet of commercial space.

The new facility will be located east of the Collier Street parking garage, which was torn down three years ago. That ramp was closed in November 2015 because of safety concerns.

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

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