Council reviews option to buy 400 Court Street for East Side pump station; purchase contingent on funding

Corporation counsel Robert Heery told the Binghamton City Council on April 7 that the city has negotiated an option agreement with Williams Auto Group for part of the property at 400 Court Street, a site the city’s engineer identified as suitable for an East Side pump station intended to reduce neighborhood flooding.

Heery said the agreement, as presented, would give the city an option to buy the parcel for $1 during an initial option period that runs through November 2025. If the city needs more time to secure grant or municipal funding, the option may be extended through March 2026 for a $5,000 extension fee that would apply toward the purchase price if exercised.

Heery described the site selection as based on engineering reviews to find the lowest, most flood-effective location. He said an appraisal letter had been provided by the property owner and that the city intended to pursue design work to support grant applications. “This is for a pump station on the East Side. It was located based off of an engineering review of it, basically, find where the best spot was, what's the lowest spot so we can handle the flooding best,” Heery said.

Council members asked where purchase funds would come from; Heery and other council speakers said the document on the floor is an option, not an immediate purchase, and that the city would later seek grant funding or include the acquisition in a future budget. The council did not vote to exercise the option or appropriate funds at the meeting.