Johnson City Still Waiting for Planned Binghamton University Park

Construction has yet to start for a Binghamton University green space project in Johnson City that was expected to be completed two years ago.

The university announced plans in early 2021 to develop a "Village Park" on two acres of land between its Health Sciences Campus on Corliss Avenue and Main Street.

President Harvey Stenger told WNBF News the project would provide a "convenient, attractive and safe connection" between the university's buildings and Johnson City's downtown business district.

Plans for the green space project called for the demolition of several buildings on Lewis Street, Willow Street, Main Street and Jennison Avenue.

FLASHBACK: Demolition crews tear down a five-story apartment house at 23 Lewis Street on July 14, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The Binghamton University Foundation acquired most of the properties targeted for the park over the last four years. But the owner of an 11-unit apartment building at 26 Lewis Street has not sold his property.

Property records indicate the three-story structure is owned by Ta Realty Properties LLC of Johnson City. The owner could not be reached for comment but a person familiar with the situation said the man "was not interested in selling it."

This apartment house is the only remaining building on Lewis Street in Johnson City. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Mayor Martin Meaney said "there's one parcel left and I'm sure that's probably the main reason for no movement on the development of the green space" envisioned by Stenger.

The mayor said "it's unfortunate but I'm sure once they do - hopefully - acquire that property that they're going to move rather quickly" to proceed with the project.

A Binghamton University rendering of the park planned in Johnson City to connect the Health Sciences Campus with the downtown business district. (Image: Nicholas Corcoran.)

Meaney said when Johnson City was developing renovation plans for a neighboring park. the village worked in conjunction with the university's landscape architects so the projects would "work well together."

A Binghamton University representative did not respond to a request for information on the delayed green space initiative, including an estimate of the project's cost.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A 20-unit apartment building at 23 Lewis Street was torn down in July 2021 after the property was acquired for a Binghamton University "Village Park."

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.