BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Binghamton City Planning Committee on July 17 heard an update on the city’s eminent-domain effort to acquire the Binghamton Plaza, including the timeline to issue a formal purchase offer, estimated costs for demolition and legal work, and next steps for redevelopment and community outreach.

Mayor Kerr told the committee the council first approved seeking possession of the plaza in May 2023, the property owner appealed in April 2024, and the state appellate division ruled in the city’s favor in June 2024. He said the city delayed issuing a formal purchase offer while it completed a thorough appraisal and gathered documentation from the property owner. “We’ve had this property in terrible condition for my entire lifetime,” Mayor Kerr said, describing earlier informal efforts to negotiate a voluntary sale.

The committee heard cost and timing estimates. The city budget includes a $1.55 million acquisition figure and an approximately $2 million demolition line item in the adopted 2025 budget. Mayor Kerr said the city has spent “a little bit more than $300,000” on legal fees so far and does not expect legal expenses to rise to the level of a “million dollars.” He described the remaining work as largely administrative — title work and issuing a formal offer — and said a 90-day statutory window would begin when the formal offer is issued.

Committee members pressed officials on environmental risks and remediation. The city’s April 2023 Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) was filed before the council’s May 2023 eminent-domain vote; the EAF and related record note that the site previously participated in the state brownfield cleanup program and that remediation work was completed in 2014. Mayor Kerr said the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been “in constant contact” with the city and that, from the city’s perspective, the site does not require large-scale additional remediation for development to proceed. He explained that future development typically will require capping with two feet of clean fill where areas are converted to grass, while buildings and hard pavement can serve as caps.

The EAF also identifies potential impacts to aquatic species; committee members cited an entry in the EAF summary noting the brook floater (a freshwater species) under endangered/threatened-species questions. The mayor said DEC staff have participated in public briefings and that DEC guidance will govern any measures to protect waterways during demolition or site work.

On demolition timing and scope, city staff described demolition as likely to proceed in phases and to include abatement work (for asbestos and similar materials) before visible teardown. Kerr said the city does not plan to leave the property idle after gaining possession, but that practical constraints — utilities, contractor sequencing and safety — will affect exact timing. He said the demolition estimate in the 2025 budget reflects current expectations and that bids will be subject to prevailing-wage and public-bid rules.

Committee members raised concerns about the roughly 64 jobs tied to current plaza tenants and asked whether the city has identified relocation assistance or alternative spaces. Mayor Kerr said the city has been in contact with many tenants and “stands ready to help any business to relocate,” but that some of the tenant- and business-specific details are the subject of legal advice and may be discussed in executive session. He confirmed there is no finalized plan to keep tenants in place during phased demolition; officials said they will explore options for allowing businesses to remain where safe and practical.

On redevelopment strategy, committee discussion centered on four public uses the city envisions: removal of blight, improved riverfront access, expansion of Sherry Lindsay Park by roughly two acres (as identified in the 2023 assessment), and enabling commercial or multiunit residential development along the West State Street corridor. The mayor said the city will likely pursue a mix of public park improvements and private redevelopment, and that sale of parcels would require council approval. He also noted the city is pursuing non-local grant funding and predevelopment support from entities such as Broome County, the DEC and state economic-development partners.

Several members asked about the possibility that further contamination or large-scale remediation could arise during demolition. Mayor Kerr said the brownfield cleanup record limits that risk and that the demolition contract would require bonds and insurance to protect the city if contractors act improperly. He also said the city will continue public outreach — webinars, press releases and meetings with the Northside Neighborhood Assembly — to explain the brownfield status and health implications.

Next steps recorded in the meeting included completing outstanding title work, issuing a formal purchase offer (which will trigger the 90-day statutory timeline), scheduling a follow-up planning committee meeting with an executive session to review legal advice and invite corporation counsel and other technical staff, and continuing outreach with DEC. The committee adjourned by voice vote after the discussion.

Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.