City Prepares to Buy Former Binghamton Convent
An unused church convent in Binghamton is about to be acquired by the city of Binghamton.
The city is prepared to pay $275,000 to St. Mary of the Assumption Church for a two-story brick building at 15 Fayette Street.
The property is located next to the former church recreation center on Hawley Street. The city purchased that site for $500,000 in September 2024.
City officials have been developing plans with representatives of Binghamton University's Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity for use of the old St. Mary's convent.
Mayor Jared Kraham has said acquisition of the site for the center would expand the presence of the university downtown. He said it could serve "as an anchor for neighborhood revitalization."
Resolutions on the property purchase and proposed lease for the Tubman Center are expected to be voted on the City Council this month.
Under the planned agreement, SUNY Binghamton would lease the property for ten years.
The university would pay the city a nominal rent of one dollar a year for use of the building.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @bobjoseph.bsky.social on Bluesky or @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
LOOK: Classic Baby Names that are Going Extinct
Gallery Credit: Stacker
LOOK: 29 Things That Will Make '80s Country Kids Say, "Yep, That Was Me!"
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz