Binghamton planning committee hears timeline, costs for eminent-domain acquisition and demolition of Binghamton Plaza

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…