Binghamton Shoppers Await Construction of New Parking Garage

Now that the old city-owned parking facility on Water Street has been torn down, people who shop, work and live in downtown Binghamton are looking forward to the new garage.

Workers from Gorick Construction began the massive demolition project at site next to Boscov's department store a couple of days after Christmas.

The Water Street Development Project site on August 26, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The job of removing the deteriorating half-century-old parking structure took several months to accomplish.

The property south of Henry Street has been cleared and there's been no construction activity at the site for weeks.

The downtown Binghamton site where a parking and residential complex is to be built. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

A 549-space parking garage is to be built where the old structure stood. City officials have said a five-story 122-unit apartment complex will be constructed above the parking facility.

When the "mixed use development" project was announced, the total price for the parking and residential components was estimated at $48 million.

The construction of the new garage has been viewed as crucial in the city's effort to keep the Boscov's store open.

The Pennsylvania-based company has been operating the downtown location under a series of one-year lease extensions. Boscov's executives have been concerned about the condition of the building it uses. The property is owned by the Broome County Industrial Development Agency.

The city last year started discussions with Boscov's representatives that could lead to the company acquiring the building.

Mayor Jared Kraham has not announced when construction of the new garage will begin. On Friday, he indicated he expected to be able to provide more details on the Water Street Development Project early next week.

FLASHBACK: Watch demolition work next to Boscov's department store in April.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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Source: Binghamton Shoppers Await Construction of New Parking Garage