For years, the Binghamton Plaza has been one of those things locals drove past without really seeing — a faded strip mall on a 24-acre site near the river, a relic of a retail era that ended quietly and didn’t say goodbye. Mostly empty. Mostly forgotten. A placeholder for something nobody could quite name yet.
That era is officially over.
What We're Actually Talking About
Twenty-four acres. That’s the scale here, and it’s worth sitting with for a moment. For context: that’s roughly the size of 18 football fields sitting close to the Susquehanna riverfront. The city acquired the property and announced demolition plans earlier this year. Environmental testing is underway. Existing businesses on the site are being assisted with relocation.
The next formal community meeting is expected in the fall, but public input is being collected online in the meantime.
Why This Is a Bigger Deal Than It Sounds
Binghamton has had no shortage of economic development conversations over the years. Some of them produced results. Some of them produced meetings. What makes the Plaza redevelopment feel different is the combination of scale, location, and timing.
What People Are Saying They Want
Tuesday’s meeting gave residents their first public look at the six concept options, and the feedback was telling. Attendees pushed for:
- Entertainment and gathering spaces — venues, outdoor concert areas, places that give people a reason to show up
- Family-friendly amenities — playgrounds, splash pads, recreation that serves the whole community
- New economic opportunities — jobs, local businesses, things that bring money and activity into the neighborhood
- Green and recreational space — the river is right there; people want to actually be able to use it
That’s a healthy sign.
How to Have Your Say
The city isn’t just doing this by committee. The online engagement platform is live and accepting public input right now. If you live in Greater Binghamton, this is one of those rare moments where what you type into a form might actually influence what gets built — because the plan genuinely isn’t set yet.
Go. Comment. This one’s worth your two minutes.
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