Binghamton, NY – The Broome County Land Bank Corporation, in partnership with Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, announced the demolition of 8 & 8½ Cypress Street in the City of Binghamton.  Broome County Land Bank Assistant Director Robert O’Donnell and Chairman of the Land Bank Board of Directors Aaron Martin were joined by members of the Land Bank Board of Directors, Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango Deputy Director Kelly Robertson, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, representatives from the Broome County Legislature, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, and other officials to commemorate the event.

Earlier in 2024, the Land Bank entered into an agreement with Greater Opportunities to assist with the demolition of 8 & 8½ Cypress Street. The property is in the First Ward area in the City of Binghamton, located between Mygatt and Oak Streets. The structures have sat vacant for several years leading to unsightly blight in the neighborhood and severe neglect and significant structural issues. Both structures on the property have been condemned as structurally unsound by the City of Binghamton Code Enforcement Office.

“While no one wants to see homes torn down, neglected eyesores like 8 & 8½ Cypress Street really bring down neighborhoods and severely impact home values, and the Land Bank’s Demolition Program is here to help with projects like this one,” said Broome County Land Bank Assistant Director Robert O’Donnell. “This property is one of six in this demolition round, and we’re proud to be able to work with community partners like Greater Opportunities to make this a reality. Our programs wouldn’t be possible without our funding and project partners, including our State officials, who helped secure funding for all Land Banks, and our Broome County partners, who transferred the other properties to the Land Bank for demolition and assisted us through tipping fee credits at the Broome County Landfill.”

“Greater Opportunities is very grateful to the Broome County Land Bank for collaborating with us to demolish the property at 8 and 8 ½ Cypress Street,” said Greater Opportunities Assistant Director Kelly Robertson. “Through this collaboration, we will continue our combined efforts to improve community safety and revitalization. While it’s unfortunate to see any property reach this state, we are committed to working together towards a brighter future for our neighborhoods.”

“The Broome County Land Bank continues to do excellent work in eliminating eyesores all across Broome County,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “I want to thank the Land Bank and their partners for removing yet another blighted property from Broome County.”

“The Broome County Land Bank continues to make significant improvements in our neighborhoods and community,” said Broome County Legislature Chairman & 5th District Legislator Dan J. Reynolds. “Since the Legislature helped establish the Land Bank in 2013, the Land Bank has been an invaluable tool to remove blight, protect our neighborhoods and return properties to productive use.”

“Demolishing blighted houses is a crucial step towards revitalizing our community. These structures are not only an eyesore but also a safety concern,” said Broome County Legislator Mary Kaminsky. “By removing these abandoned buildings, we not only eliminate potential hazards but also create opportunities for new development and green spaces that will enhance the quality of life for everyone. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a safe, vibrant, and thriving neighborhood for all our residents.”

“Binghamton families deserve to live in neighborhoods that are safe, clean and free from blight. The demolition of this vacant First Ward eyesore will immediately improve the neighborhood and deliver relief to neighbors who have dealt with the blighted property for too long. My thanks to the Broome County Land Bank for their continued work to make our neighborhoods better for residents and to all the partners who have made this project possible.”

8 & 8½ Cypress Street is one of a series of six properties slated for demolition in mid-2024. 18 Broad Street in the City of Binghamton, 2667 NYS Route 26 in the Town of Barker, 11 Prospect Avenue in the Town of Colesville, 714 E. Windsor Road in the Town of Windsor, and 1209 Nanticoke Drive in the Town of Union, will be demolished in this round of demolitions. The total construction cost of all demolition projects will be $106,300.

The Landfill tipping fees for the disposal of the demolition debris for five of these properties are being waived under a Broome County program that assists municipalities and organizations such as the Land Bank in addressing blight in the community. Gorick Construction of Kirkwood, NY, will be the demolition contractor for all projects included in this round. Keystone Material Testing of Binghamton, NY, is providing environmental testing and project management services for this project.

The primary funding source for this round of demolition projects was secured through the Land Bank’s successful application to New York State’s Department of Homes & Community Renewal’s Land Bank Initiative (LBI) Phase II grant program. Additionally, the Land Bank will be receiving several grants from Greater Opportunities and local Broome County municipalities to assist financially with their respective demolition projects.

Established by Broome County in 2013 under the New York State Land Bank Act, the Broome County Land Bank is a nonprofit corporation created to target distressed, vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed properties with the goal of fostering community and economic development by eliminating blight and stabilizing neighborhoods.  To learn more, please visit our website at www.broomelandbank.org.

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