Binghamton Announces Abandoned Property Initiatives

Binghamton’s population has been dropping in recent years, leaving dozens of foreclosed and abandoned homes and properties in the city. In recent years, local leaders have been looking to address the properties and cut down on blight in the city. On Wednesday, Planning and Development officials addressed the progress the city has made through a number of programs to help develop the abandoned properties, and two new initiatives were also announced. Homes and properties sold at county auction will now come with a copy of an inspection, so buyers can be held responsible for any code violations as they clean up the properties. The second initiative will give the Broome County Land Bank the authority to manage and develop foreclosed properties by negotiating with prospective buyers on price, as well as what the city expects out of the property.