Binghamton Planning Panel OKs “Number 5 Commons” Project
A major redevelopment project in the area of the iconic Number 5 restaurant on Binghamton's South Side has been approved by the city planning commission.
Members of the panel voted unanimously in favor of the plan Monday evening, nearly four months after developer Brett Pritchard made his initial presentation to the commission.
The commercial and retail development is to be called "Number 5 Commons." Although a house on Mary Street will be torn down, the former city fire station that has been home to the restaurant for more than four decades will be retained.
Number 5 restaurant owner Jim McCoy had been seeking a buyer for the South Washington Street business for more than two years.
After the commission vote, McCoy outlined his plan to merge elements of the Binghamton restaurant with Lampy's, an Endicott eatery he also owns.
As envisioned, the new restaurant on West Main Street in the village's Union District would be called McCoy's Chop House.
McCoy said his nephew, who now manages Lampy's, eventually could take over the merged operation that would feature elements of the two separate restaurants.
McCoy added that he'll be talking with Pritchard about the sale of the South Side property.
The Binghamton project is to include a Mirabito convenience store and a People's Security Bank & Trust office.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com
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