Workers are assembling a large crane at the site of a long-awaited parking structure in downtown Binghamton.

The old city-owned garage on Water Street next to Boscov's department store was closed just after Christmas 2021.

Metal support have been installed under a critical section of the parking garage used by Boscov's customers. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
FLASHBACK: Metal supports were installed under a critical section of the old Water Street parking garage in May 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The crumbling 52-year-old parking ramp was demolished to clear the way for construction of a 500-car garage topped with a 120-unit apartment complex.

The original $48 million project was scrapped after the Binghamton City School District board of education rejected a controversial tax break plan.

Workers guiding a crane section at the Water Street construction site on May 1, 2024. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Workers guiding a crane section at the Water Street construction site on May 1, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The city then moved to start a scaled-down garage-only project that's expected to cost $25 million.

Mayor Jared Kraham last month said workers first finished closing up the roof area above the Boscov's men's department. A new roof and drainage system were installed in preparation for the garage construction.

A section of the west side of the future Water Street parking garage on May 1, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A section of the west side of the future Water Street parking garage on May 1, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Kraham told WNBF News the crane will enable workers to install precast concrete sections that will be trucked to the site from western Massachusetts.

The mayor said the sections "will be erected very much like Legos" over the course of many weeks. He said that process is expected to occur over a 45-day period.

The Water Street parking garage is being built just south of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The Water Street parking garage is being built just south of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Kraham said after the concrete pieces have been put in place, there will be "a lot of additional work" needed to complete the structure. Some concrete pouring will take place along with electrical and plumbing work for the garage.

The mayor said the goal is to have at least one level of parking open late this year for the holiday shopping season.

Kraham said the first floor of the garage will be reserved for short-term parking. The other floors will be available for short- and long-term parking.

VIDEO: Watch workers assembling the crane at the Binghamton job site on May 1, 2024. 

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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