City Regains Ownership of Binghamton Plaza Site

The Binghamton Plaza property on Binghamton's North Side is once again owned by the city.

The former city dump site was sold to the Galesi family in January 1962. The 28-acre wasteland was transformed into a successful shopping center featuring dozens of businesses, including Grandway and W.T. Grant stores.

A Galesi Realty Corporation sign remained posted at the Binghamton Plaza - now owned by the city - on March 12, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

In July 2022, Mayor Jared Kraham started the legal process that resulted in the city gaining control of the Binghamton Plaza property on West State Street.

In a message posted online, Kraham wrote: "After decades of decline, this strategic North Side property is now under public control."

The mayor said the development represents "an important milestone in our efforts to clean up one of Binghamton’s biggest eyesores and revitalize the surrounding neighborhood."

The city paid $1,550,000 for several parcels that make up the Binghamton Plaza site. The city had sold the land to the Galesi family for $150,000.

FLASHBACK: Mayor Jared Kraham at the Binghamton Plaza on May 8, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Over the past two decades, many large and small retailers in the Binghamton Plaza closed their doors.

The plaza's Kmart store went out of business in December 2016, just days before Christmas.

Now, the city is moving forward to hire a demolition contractor to clear the site. There are no firm plans to redevelop the property.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: The city-owned Binghamton Plaza on March 12, 2026.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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Source: City Regains Ownership of Binghamton Plaza Site