Binghamton Mayor Richard David said the Collier Street parking garage will remain open beyond this month.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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WNBF News on Monday reported sources had said the city was making preparations to close the facility at the end of the month.

But on Wednesday's Binghamton Now program, David said that won't happen. He said "no decision has been made about whether or not we are going to close the ramp."

The mayor said closing the garage is "one option among many" being considered. But, he said, no timeline has been set for shutting down the deteriorating structure.

David said he expects there will be an update on the Collier Street ramp "before the end of the year."

The mayor said if the garage is to be closed, the city must have a plan in place to address the needs of people who use the facility on a daily or monthly basis.

As for the possibility of shutting down the ramp, David said: "The end of the month is in two weeks and I don't foresee a scenario where that's going to happen in two weeks."

David said monthly parkers would have to be relocated to other downtown garages. The city also would have to identify other off-street parking options which would be available to people who work or shop downtown.

The mayor dismissed the idea of providing a shuttle service to transport people from outlying parking areas. He said he doesn't believe that would be a realistic option.

David said he doesn't know whether the Collier Street ramp can be kept open through the holiday shopping season.

Three months ago, more than 40 percent of the spaces available in the structure were taken out of service because of safety concerns.

Engineers determined repairing the upper levels of the garage was not economically feasible because of the degree of deterioration that's occurred.

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