People shopping and working in downtown Binghamton are getting an earful as pile driving for a scaled-down redevelopment project moves forward.

Construction operations are underway on Water Street next door to the Boscov's department store.

When pile driving is underway, people for blocks around the site are treated to 48  loud "bangs" a minute. It's not known how much longer the racket will continue.

The Water Street parking garage construction site on October 10, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The Water Street parking garage construction site on October 10, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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City officials had pushed for development of a $60 million parking garage and apartment complex on the site.

An old parking facility at the location was closed in December 2021 because of safety concerns involving deteriorating concrete and steel in the structure.

Some of the steel that will be used to support the new parking structure being built on Water Street. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Some of the steel that will be used to support the new parking structure being built on Water Street. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Plans for the original project were shot down by the Binghamton city school board when it voted unanimously against a proposed tax break package for the developers.

Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said the parking garage plan would move forward while the future of a residential component of the project was being reconsidered.

An early rendering of the proposed Water Street parking and residential complex. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
An early rendering of the proposed Water Street parking and residential complex. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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At a special meeting, the Water Street Redevelopment Corporation voted to authorize the mayor to restructure the project.

Pike Development is under contract to have construction of the new parking garage completed by September 14.

VIDEO: Hear the construction work in downtown Binghamton.

TIP: Remove your headphones and turn down your speaker.

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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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