See proposed projects for Binghamton's Clinton Street Downtown Revitalization Initiative
22 projects listed at over $13 million is headed to New York State officials for final selection and approval
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BINGHAMTON – After a year of meetings, public workshops, submissions and feedback, the picture is becoming clearer for what the Clinton Street neighborhood's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) will look like.
Mayor Jared Kraham and City of Binghamton officials publicly shared the final list of proposals for the DRI on December 17 at the First Ward Senior Recreation Center, spotlighting the potential for new streetscapes, housing, industry and building upgrades.
"Clinton Street, with its historic charm, its walkable footprint, its backbone in terms of Binghamton's history, was such an important place that needed to be revitalized," Kraham said.
New York State will select up to $10 million for funding among the list of 22 separate project proposals, which totals to over $13 million in asked-for DRI grant funding.
For most projects, the DRI funds only cover a portion of the total cost. Project sponsors are responsible for acquiring additional funds, be it through grants, financing, cash on hand or other means, City of Binghamton Director of Economic Development Sarah Glose said.
The proposal was officially submitted by the City of Binghamton on December 16.
City officials said they expect to announce the final list of funded projects in Spring 2026 following review and approval by New York State.
Funds are not yet approved for any specific project, but officials at the presentation said groundbreaking on some projects is hoped for next year.
Clinton Street, a historic business district in Binghamton's First Ward on the other side of the train tracks from Main Street, is home to many well-known businesses and nonprofits like Kovarik Hardware, the Boys and Girls Club, The Brass Rail, Robot City Games, Old Union Hotel, and Parlor City Vegan, as well as historic churches.
The strip has seen better days, with many run-down and vacant buildings and lots, but it remains a central area for many in the city.
"We have major challenges on Clinton Street and the surrounding corridor," Kraham said.
"The years of jobs leaving, factories closing, have left vacant lots and vacant storefronts, worn down buildings that needed demolition, but they also told us through these public engagement sessions about the potential. Everyone in this room could imagine what Clinton Street could be with some investment."
The $10 million grant, announced in February and applied for in 2024, centers around redeveloping vacant properties, creating more affordable housing, improving streetscapes, supporting businesses and manufacturers and attracting businesses.
The planning committee, headed by Mayor Kraham and Guthrie Lourdes Hospital President and CEO Kathryn Connerton, included business owners, nonprofit staffers and government officials.
Kraham called the area primed for revitalization, given its walkable footprint, development-ready spaces, and proximity to the established urban core.
BC Transit's 7 route also provides regular service on the street between downtown and the Oakdale Commons.
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a New York State program designed to "transform downtown areas into vibrant, livable hubs by funding strategic projects that enhance walkability, public transit, and economic development."
Both the Village of Endicott's Washington Ave. and the Village of Johnson City's historic downtown have also received DRI awards in recent years.
The presentation announcing the Clinton Street neighborhood DRI proposals can be viewed here.
Projects Proposed
Construct Vanguard Village Housing
187 Clinton and 34 Jarvis
DRI Request: $1,000,000
Est. Project Cost: $68,150,00 (97% non-DRI)
Sponsor: MetroGroup Properties, Inc., Robert Muchnick, Myles Monaghan, Joyce Kwon
- The project is the construction of Phase 2 of Vanguard Village, a
mixed-use development. - Phase 2 will have 120 units and a ground-floor space on 6 acres. Phase I of the project is funded separately and is not included in this request.
- Upon completion of all phases, the overall development will include up to 268 residential units and ground-floor commercial space on a previously vacant property.
- The full project has received additional grants such as American Rescue Plan Act funds and Restore NY funding. Soil testing was conducted in October.
Construct Firomar Manufacturing Facility
22 Charles Street
DRI Request: $1,000,000
Est. Project Cost: $7,000,000 (86% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Firomar
- The project is an addition to an existing warehouse.
- The addition is a state-of-the-art light industrial facility focused on sustainable manufacturing.
- The new space will include production floors, warehousing, administrative offices, and potential R&D areas.
- The facility will include 34,000 square feet.
Renovate the Titchener Building
2 Titchener Place
DRI Request: $1,000,000
Est. Project Cost: $6,278,406 (84% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Lane Group of NY, LLC, Mark Lane
- The proposed project includes a comprehensive redevelopment
of the Titchener building’s structure, envelope, and interior
systems to bring the facility up to modern standards, ensure
code compliance, and enable flexible occupancy. - The building will accommodate a range of commercial and industrial users.
- The facility is a 51,000-square-foot building on just under 3 acres.
Construct SaveAround’s New Commercial Office
Charles Street Business Park, Phelps Street and West Street
DRI Request: $1,800,000
Est. Project Cost: $3,400,000 (47% non-DRI)
Sponsor: MGM Builds
- The project is the construction of a new commercial building on vacant property in the Charles Street Business Park at Emerson.
- The new building is a 15,000sf, 2-story commercial space for professional, manufacturing, and administrative services.
- The principal tenant is SaveAround.
- The project may include some rentable office space.
- The project will create 30 new jobs and maintain 45 existing jobs.
Construct Addition to the Boys & Girls Club
90 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $1,350,000
Est. Project Cost: $1,350,000
Sponsor: Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton, (Non-profit)
- The project is the construction of a new two-story addition to the current Boys & Girls Club building.
- The addition has both a new downstairs and upstairs room. The downstairs room will serve as a dedicated early school-age childhood room.
- The upstairs room will serve as the Club's multipurpose room for special programming as well as an affordable community rental space.
Build a Youth Center with Financial Education
200 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $233,000
Est. Project Cost: $244,000 (5% non-DRI)
Sponsor: STACK (Non-profit), Phil Nelson
- This project will transform an underutilized commercial property into a vibrant mixed-use space that will function as a dynamic “third place” where local youth can safely gather outside of school and home to access meaningful pathways to economic mobility.
Renovate Building for Event Space/ Art Studio
40 Clinton Street (Fmr. Crecent Cleaner & Laundry)
DRI Request: $172,000
Est. Project Cost: $234,570 (26% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Up In The Air, LLC, Alana and Francisco Matesanz
- The project is Phase 2 of the restoration of a fire-damaged structure, which will serve as an event space, studio, and community destination.
- DRI-funded improvements include a new kitchen, interior finishes, and
lighting. - The project will include installation of a photo mural. Resurfacing the parking lot will provide parking and also be designed to accommodate outdoor events.
- The project includes solid black vinyl site fencing around the parking area.
Renovate Mixed-use Building to Add Housing
52 Clinton Street (Clinton Street Cafe)
DRI Request:$362,000
Est. Project Cost: $482,415 (25% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Clinton Street Café, Stephen Heath
- The project includes the renovation of 2 vacant apartments on the second floor of 52 Clinton St., home of Clinton Street Cafe.
- Exterior work includes a new EPDM roof, a new parking lot for tenants, and window and door replacements.
- Interior work includes modifying egress to units, installing new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, and repairing drywall. Units will be painted and have new flooring. Kitchens and baths will be updated and include new fixtures and appliances.
- One parking space per unit will be provided for tenants.
Renovate Restaurant Space for New Owner
54 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $450,000
Est. Project Cost: $600,000 (25% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Parlor City Foods, LLC, Sara Liu
- New roof installation.
- New modern kitchen, including a type 2 ventilation hood.
- Improvements to interior finishes, building mechanicals and plumbing as well as the installation of modern restaurant equipment and ADA restrooms.
- Exterior renovations include installing a window at the front of the building, installing a sign at the front of the building, and repairing the exterior siding as needed.
Renovate 3-Story Mixed-use Building at 58 Clinton Street
56-58 Clinton Street (The Ward)
DRI Request: $279,000
Est. Project Cost: $372,000 (25% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Delmac Properties LLC
- Restoration and rehabilitation of a three-story, 1890 mixed-use building.
- Exterior work includes repairing the brick façade, installing a new roof, installing a fire escape, replacing all windows facing Clinton Street, replacing the awnings, and installing a concrete floor at the entrance.
Renovate Exterior of Helping Celebrate Abilities
114 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $215,000
Est. Project Cost: $2,071,423 (90% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Helping Celebrate Abilities (HCA) (Non-profit)
- This one-story, 25,000 square foot commercial building was recently purchased by Helping Celebrate Abilities (HCA) to serve as the organization’s administrative offices and to support multiple training programs.
- Work includes the complete replacement of the parking lot, exterior landscaping, painting and exterior signage.
Renovate Home of Robot City Games
126 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $90,000
Est. Project Cost: $120,000 (25% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Robot City Games
- The project is the renovation of an existing commercial business, Robot City Games.
- Renovations include roof repairs, upgrades to the HVAC system, façade improvements and new front signage.
Renovate Building for Commercial Business with Apt.
141 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $188,000
Est. Project Cost: $250,000 (25% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Narcisco's Pizzeria, LLC., Debra and Frank Navarro
- The proposed project involves the renovation of a 1,500 square foot mixed-use building, including a ground-floor commercial restaurant space intended to house an Italian food business.
- Exterior repairs include siding, stucco, window and door replacements, and signage.
- Interior renovation includes new HVAC systems, finishes, a reconfigured kitchen, and updated equipment.
- The project includes renovation of an attached two-bedroom residential apartment on the upper level.
Renovate Affordable Apartments & Storefronts at 165 Clinton
165 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $385,000
Est. Project Cost: $424,000 (10% non-DRI)
Sponsor: First Ward Action Council, non-profit Jerry Willard
- The project is the renovation and preservation of a 100-year-old mixed-use building.
- These improvements will improve the efficiency of affordable housing units located in the structure.
- Exterior renovations will include storefronts, the roof, and other items.
- Interior renovations will include new heating systems.
- The project will offer cost savings to low-income tenants and attract small-business tenants, contributing to the vibrant, diverse character of Clinton Street.
Renovate Commercial Space for Dapper Rascal
157 Clinton Street, leased space
DRI Request: $175,000
Est. Project Cost: $335,000 (48% non-DRI)
Sponsor: Eva Duarte, Dapper Rascal Group LLC, Bonj Orr Tea LLC
- The project involves the redevelopment of an existing property into a
high-end barbershop, accompanied by an adjacent tea and mocktail
bar. - Sponsor is the owner of an existing barber shop, and is relocating the
shop from downtown Binghamton to this location. - The work will include façade restoration, structural reinforcement, and the construction of a mezzanine level with barber stations.
- Work will include plumbing, electrical, and washing stations.
Renovate Affordable Apartments & Storefronts at 174 Clinton
174-176 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $678,000
Est. Project Cost: $678,000
Sponsor: First Ward Action Council (Non-profit), Jerry Willard
- The project is the renovation and preservation of a 100-year-old mixed-use building. These improvements will improve the efficiency of six affordable housing units located in the structure.
- Exterior renovations will include, but not be limited to, storefronts and the roof.
- Interior renovations will include new heating systems.
- The project will offer cost savings to low-income tenants and attract small business tenants, contributing to the vibrant and diverse character of Clinton Street.
Renovate Exterior Areas of ACBC
15 Charles St, Binghamton
DRI Request: $389,000
Est. Project Cost: $389,000
Sponsor: The Addiction Center of Broome County, Inc
- The project will remove and replace the existing accessibility ramp to the building with a masonry ramp to match the building.
- It will Install exterior lighting and security cameras.
- It will install fencing around the site.
- Add a public mural (~1,000 sq. ft.) visible from Clinton Street and Jarvis Street.
- The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Renovate Exterior of Old Union Hotel
246-262 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $321,000
Est. Project Cost: $423,000 (25% non-DRI)
Sponsor: 246-250 Clinton Street Partnership, Michael Cooke, Andrew Kipp
- The project includes repairs to the ground-floor stone façade of the Old Union Hotel.
- The project includes increasing the size of an existing addition.
- The project will install large windows or garage-type doors that could be seasonally opened to improve street activation."
Renovate Kovarik Hardware
276 Clinton Street
DRI Request: $ 135,000
Est. Project Cost: $ 180,000 (25% non-DRI)
Sponsor: ITS EQUITY LLC, Cynthia Kovarik
- Project includes replacement of roof and renovation of parking lot for long established business, Kovarik Hardware, at a prominent intersection.
- Project includes new landscaped garden at corner of intersection.
Small Projects Funding
Within DRI Boundary
DRI Request: $600,000
Est. Project Cost: $780,000 (25% match from applicants)
Sponsor: The City of Binghamton
- The Small Project Fund will provide grants for projects within the DRI Boundary Area of $75,000 or smaller.
- The City of Binghamton would administer the Fund.
- A minimum 25% match will be required from all applicants. The Fund will award grants based on a future application process and Letters of Interest
(20 potential projects identified to date). - Funding may be used to develop design guidelines for the Clinton Street DRI area.
Provide Marketing and Branding for the Clinton Street Area
DRI Request: $350,000
Est. Project Cost: $385,000 (9% non-DRI)
Sponsor: The City of Binghamton
- The project sponsor will implement a coordinated advertising
and branding initiative to strengthen the community’s visibility
and identity. - Deliverables will include a new website, branded
signage, professionally designed and printed marketing
materials, a logo, and the establishment of a social media
presence. - The improvements will be delivered through an RFP process
to retain a qualified marketing and branding consultant with
experience in community-based projects.
Renovate Streetscapes, Sidewalks,& Install Public Art
on Clinton Street
Within the DRI Area
DRI Request: $2,500,000
Est. Project Cost: $6,070,000 (58% non-DRI)
Sponsor: City of Binghamton
- The project will provide Improvements to streetscapes with
pedestrian enhancements, including crosswalks, street trees,
sidewalks, improved lighting, and wayfinding. - Improvements will examine multi-modal and bike enhancements.
- Public art will be installed to enhance a sense of place.
Pipeline Projects
Three "pipeline projects" are also listed, which are options in the case other proposed projects do not move forward, and will be the first contacted to use leftover funds if any exist, according to City officials.
- Major Shift Youth Foundation: Renovation of a vacant commercial space on Clinton Street to establish a youth educational center
- ACBC Remembrance Garden: Creation of a public outdoor reflection and remembrance garden to represent grief and recovery
- Schoolhouse Apartments: Renovation of a historic building that provides affordable housing through the First Ward Action Council
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