Council holds over $211,000 Broome County arts-district grant after questions about Greater Binghamton Fund allocation

The Binghamton City Council on May 7 voted to hold over consideration of an ordinance that would authorize the mayor to accept a $211,065.65 grant from Broome County for improvements in the city's arts district, including alleyway upgrades and a mural. The holdover passed by roll call 5-2.

Council member Hotchkiss described the grant as intended to improve an alley between State and Washington streets to create a more pedestrian-friendly public right-of-way and fund a mural. Council members who supported holding the ordinance over said they had outstanding questions about how the Greater Binghamton Fund has been spent and wanted answers before accepting the grant. One council member said they had not yet received information they requested from Director Glos and planned to share questions and responses with colleagues after the planning committee meeting.

During discussion Council member Rathmell asked for figures from the Greater Binghamton Fund's strategic investment plan, noting that an earlier projection of 145 new housing units placed affordable units predominantly in Endicott and market-rate units in the city; several projected projects did not move forward. Rathmell asked how many of the roughly 50 projected units for the city were actually created, the rental ranges for each project, how funds for projects that did not move forward were reallocated, and whether any funds remain available. Those specific funding and outcome clarifications were not supplied at the meeting.

Council members confirmed the grant deadline to spend funds is the end of 2026; the council also discussed the option of calling a special business meeting if an emergency required faster action. After consultation with corporation counsel, council members recorded the holdover with a roll-call vote to ensure there would be a formal vote at a subsequent business meeting.

The transcript does not show the council rejecting the project itself; rather, members sought additional transparency from the Greater Binghamton Fund administrators before final acceptance of the county grant.