Broome County and City of Binghamton Joint Effort Nets Brownfield Opportunity Area Grant

-$174,000 for the Brandywine Corridor-

BINGHAMTON, NY - Patience and persistence have paid off. New York State's Brownfield Opportunity Area program has awarded Broome County and the City of Binghamton a $174,000 grant to begin studying the Brandywine Corridor area. The large old industrial site runs along the Brandywine highway on the city's east side and is dissected by Interstate 81 and Route 17 (Future I-86). Through the years the Brandywine Corridor contained STOW Manufacturing, Phillips Foundry, a Naval Reserve Center, Cook Brothers Trucking and a New York Department of Transportation facility.

“The Brandywine Corridor must be our priority. It is our most visible “Gateway” and right now it isn't very inviting.” stated Executive Fiala. “Broome County has partnered with Mayor Matt Ryan and the City of Binghamton to target the area as a major redevelopment zone because we both understand the value of creating a true “Gateway” that can benefit the Greater Binghamton region.”

New York's BOA program is comprised of three-steps. Step one is a pre-nomination study. Broome County's Planning and Economic Development Department has already completed this step for the Brandywine Corridor. Step two of the BOA process is a nomination study. The county has released a request for proposals for the Brandywine consulting work to expedite the process. The proposals are due to the Wednesday, March 19th. The county previously applied for a pre-nomination study for the EJ Industrial Spine to hire a planning/engineering firm to carry out site analysis. The County and City will be working together to seek funding for step three: the implementation stage.

“Brownfields pose environmental and public health threats, and can be a financial drain on communities,” said Mayor Ryan. “We look forward to turning these liabilities into assets, and we are ready to take another step in that process, starting in the First Ward. I look forward to working with the County in carrying this effort forward, and to making our community safer, healthier, and more economically viable.”

The proposed Brandywine BOA has already received HUBzone, EnZone and Empire Zone designations.

To learn more about the Brownfield Opportunity Area program go to: http://www.nyswaterfronts.com/grantopps_BOA.asp

Older Press Releases are online for archival purposes only. If you need updated information regarding items contained in these press releases please call or email the contact person listed for the release. Thank you.

Published Date: 03-11-2008