State Street Opens After 7-Month Closure but Project Isn’t Done

Business operators along a downtown street that had been closed most of this year for a reconstruction project are pleased the work has wrapped up for the season.

After struggling to stay open for the past several months, they are concerned that the job to remake State Street between Henry and Lewis streets has not been completed.

State Street was closed to traffic for more than seven months for the $3.9 million makeover.

Karen and Jeff Allen, the owners of Old Barn Market at 214 State Street, said "it's been a struggle" to stay in business since construction work started last April.

They managed to do some "restructuring" to remain open when customers found it difficult to get to the business while the street was ripped up. They aren't looking forward to a new round of disruptions when the project resumes next spring.

Pete Konstantakos, a co-owner of Chris' Diner at 192 State Street, on Monday said he's glad the roadway has "finally" reopened. He said the construction work had a big impact on the small restaurant which has operated downtown since 1996.

Konstantakos is hoping the impact on the business when the street project resumes is minimal. He said "I hope it's quick."

Mayor Jared Kraham has said the State Street reconstruction work was the first phases of a series of planned improvements tied to the development of a downtown arts and entertainment district.

Kraham said the final top coat of asphalt is expected to be applied to State Street in April or June. In an email, he wrote: "Work shouldn't take more than a day or two to be complete."

The mayor said a few other items such as plantings or lighting installations also remain to be completed.

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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.