(CITY of BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) Mayor Richard C. David today announced the City has received a proposal for the redevelopment of the Collier Street Parking Garage located at the corner of State and Hawley Streets downtown. The project is called “Collier Street Commons.”

Representatives from Newman Development Group, LLC responded to the City’s request for proposal (RFP) and made a presentation on the plan to City officials on Monday, June 2, to redevelop the site into a mixed-use residential, parking and retail/commercial structure. Newman’s proposal suggests expanding the parking facility by adding approximately 100 parking spots, as well as two floors of commercial/retail space and up to four floors of market rate housing (see attached conceptual rendering).

“I am very pleased with the proposal submitted by the Newman Development Group,” said Mayor David. “The Collier Street Commons initiative is a visionary and significant endeavor that has the potential to transform a multiple-block section of downtown Binghamton by adding new market rate housing, creating new business opportunities and addressing the needs of a seriously dilapidated parking structure.”

The Newman Development Group, LLC is working with local firm Delta Engineers, Architects, and Land Surveyors, Carl Walker, Inc. and local law firm Coughlin and Gerhart on the proposal. Carl Walker is a renowned parking consulting and engineering firm specializing in parking planning, functional design, structural engineering, parking structure design, restoration and operations studies.

The private developer is responsible for operating the housing and commercial components of the project, including attracting and leasing space to tenants.

The City of Binghamton will submit a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for approximately $8 million dollars of state funding available through New York’s Regional Economic Development Council. The City will also seek grants through the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Newman Development Group, LLC was the only respondent to the RFP issued in April. The City has selected Newman Development Group, LLC as the preferred developer, and City Council passed a resolution in support of the application for CFA funding at Wednesday’s business meeting.

The Collier Street Commons project is proposed on approximately one acre of City-owned land at 69 Collier Street, currently the site of the Collier Street Parking Garage. Built in 1960, the garage is at the end of its useful life. An estimated $1.3 million in immediate repairs are needed to extend its service just five more years.

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