$119 Million in Project Proposals Pour in for Clinton Street

Committee Will Review, Recommend Proposals for DRI Funding

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)—Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Tuesday announced the City received 55 project proposals totaling nearly $119 million in response to its public call for projects through the City's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) State grant award for the Clinton Street neighborhood.

Mayor Kraham said: "Earlier this summer, we called on the public to bring forward their ideas for Clinton Street's revitalization, and the response has been incredible. We received a surge of interest from business owners, developers, non-profits and other stakeholders representing tens of millions of dollars in private investment and a growing grassroots movement to reimagine Clinton Street. It's an exciting time for the First Ward."

Proposals include projects to build hundreds of housing units on vacant land, rehabilitate vacant and historic buildings into new housing and commercial spaces, improve and expand existing small businesses, create community spaces, expand youth programming opportunities and install new public art.

The proposals will be reviewed by the City's Local Planning Committee (LPC), a group of local stakeholders appointed by the State and composed of residents, small business owners, community leaders and government officials. The LPC, with input from the public, will recommend a slate of projects to the State for funding consideration.

In February, the City of Binghamton was named the Southern Tier winner of New York State's DRI, securing a $10 million grant award to revitalize Clinton Street.

Shortly after taking office, Mayor Kraham had convened a group of First Ward residents, small business owners, non-profit leaders and other stakeholders to begin building a vision for the historic commercial corridor in support of the City's DRI application.

The next LPC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27 at 3pm at the First Ward Senior Center. Meetings are open to the public.