Gated Community Considered for Vestal Hills Country Club Site

What could become the Binghamton area's first gated community may be developed on property once occupied by a country club.

Broome County is preparing to sell an 80-acre parcel off Webb Road in the town of Binghamton. It had been used for decades by the Vestal Hills Country Club.

The county acquired the site from VHCC Realty LLC for $750,000 in April 2019. Plans had called for the property to be used for a veterans service center. Rising costs and other factors prompted the county to select another location for the project.

Swimming pools at the former Vestal Hills Country Club on July 27, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The county legislature in May 2021 approved a measure to sell the land to a town of Binghamton developer Brett Pritchard for $750,000. Pritchard said he moved to have the price reduced because of a pipeline easement that existed on part of the property.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said a resolution with the revised purchase price of $300,000 is expected to be voted on by lawmakers later this month. He said the concept of developing some "higher-end" housing at the site "fits in well" with the area near the former country club.

Pritchard said a gated community is one of the options he's considering for the property. He didn't indicate how many homes might be built as part of such a project. Access to gated communities is controlled to limit traffic and enhance security.

Intruders have trashed the old clubhouse off Webb Road in the town of Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Pritchard said he would would to secure the property quickly if the county legislature approves the sale.

The developer said construction work on a possible project could get underway next spring. His vision is to remodel the old clubhouse at the site, which has fallen into disrepair in recent years.

The vacant property made news in July when a man was seriously hurt in a bow and arrow attack. After the attack, police discovered the abandoned building was being used to hide weapons and other stolen property.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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Source: Gated Community Considered for Vestal Hills Country Club Site