Fourteen months after a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a Binghamton Salvation Army community center, no construction has occurred.

Jon Rogers, a Salvation Army spokesman in Syracuse, said the organization determined the project as originally proposed was "just not going to be sustainable."

The Salvation Army acquired property at 530 State Street in 2011 with the hope of moving its Binghamton operations from a downtown site on Washington Street.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at a groundbreaking event for the Binghamton Salvation Army center on April 27, 2017. (Photo: Roger Neel/WNBF News)
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at a groundbreaking event for the Binghamton Salvation Army center on April 27, 2017. (Photo: Roger Neel/WNBF News)
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In a news release announcing the project in April of last year, Governor Andrew Cuomo said it would create up to 40 full-time jobs.

Last October, a Salvation Army representative said she hoped actual construction would get underway by the end of the month. But it nothing has happened at the site.

This is the complex that originally had been envisioned for Binghamton's North Side. (Rendering: Salvation Army)
This is the complex that originally had been envisioned for Binghamton's North Side. (Rendering: Salvation Army)
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Rogers said Salvation Army officials within the last month decided to "go back to the drawing board" to come up with a scaled-down plan.

Rogers said the finances needed for the project "just never got there." He said the organization is "working really hard" to develop a new plan for the site.

$1.7 million in state funding had been approved for the center. Roger said he didn't know whether that money would still be available for a revised project.

Binghamton Mayor Richard David this week expressed concern about the lack of progress when asked about the proposed community center on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program.

The mayor said "it is unfortunate" that the project has been delayed because it would provide important services for North Side residents.

The Salvation Army still plans to sell its downtown property when it eventually moves to a new Binghamton location.

Part of the Salvation Army site on State Street was set aside for a community garden. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Part of the Salvation Army site on State Street was set aside for a community garden. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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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.

 

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