Downtown Binghamton "Beer Garden" Rising at Site of "Y2K Fire"

A former Binghamton mayor's development project is taking shape where an iconic tavern had stood before it was destroyed by fire more than two decades ago.

Richard David said the steel for the pre-engineered building at 138 Washington Street has been erected. He said the business will be a sports bar and "beer garden."

FLASHBACK: The vacant lot at 138 Washington Street on February 8, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The lot had been vacant since the building that housed the Royal Lounge was demolished following a spectacular fire that erupted on December 31, 1999 as people prepared to ring in the new year - Y2K.

David purchased the property for $50,000 in 2009 before he was elected mayor.

Stadium 138 will be located on Washington Street in downtown Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Now that the steel is in place, David said workers will be focusing on the roof of the structure and creating bracing for the exterior walls.

The new business will be called Stadium 138 with an indoor capacity of 50 to 75 people. Outdoor seating for several dozen more patrons also will be available.

Construction work underway for the future Stadium 138 on September 7, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

David told WNBF News he now expects the establishment can be in operation sometime next month. He said "by Halloween - that's our goal."

The former mayor has said he had wanted to develop the Washington Street property but he couldn't do that while he was in office.

VIDEO: Work underway at the site of the soon-to-open "beer garden."

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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: Downtown Binghamton “Beer Garden” Rising at Site of “Y2K Fire”