Binghamton City Council voted unanimously to accept a $125,950 Empire State Development (ESD) grant intended for scattered-blight removal, after members secured assurances about one contested property, 42 Fayette Street.

Council member Rathmell introduced the resolution R25-35 to accept the ESD pro-housing grant. Council had delayed a prior vote after concerns surfaced about five city-acquired properties the mayor proposed for demolition; one of them, 42 Fayette, is occupied by a tenant who has expressed interest in purchasing the building.

Council said earlier inspections found remediable code issues rather than outright condemnation and a structural-engineer walkthrough concluded the building was not unsound. Council members repeatedly advocated that 42 Fayette should not be included in demolition actions and asked that the city pursue a transfer or sale to the occupant if legally possible.

Mayor Kram supplied a written response, read into the record by Council member Rathmell, saying the city needs to accept the full grant to access funding but that "there are obviously outstanding legal proceedings involving 42 Fayette Street, and the city cannot and will not move forward with the demolition of the property until those are resolved. Additionally, that property will not be included in any demolition bid with the other structures. Separately, in the event of a sale of 42 Fayette in connection with the outstanding legal proceedings, the city also will not move forward with demolition. The city also can't sell any property without city council's approval."

After the clarification, council members said they were comfortable moving forward. The resolution passed by roll call, 5-0, with council members Middleton and Murray absent.