Outside Corporate Investors Feast on Rental Market, Exploiting Binghamton's Outdated Assessments Enough is Enough: We Need a Citywide Re-Assessment That is Fair to all Property Owners BINGHAMTON - Amicus LLC, registered with the New York State Department as a foreign corporate entity, is the latest outside institutional investor to quietly … [Read more...] about Corporate Investors Feast on Binghamton’s Rental Housing Market
Mayor David Breaks Promise: Purchases Rental Property under Secret LLC
In an April 28, 2017 Press and Sun Bulletin article about Mayor David's real estate holdings and potential conflicts of interest, the reporter noted that Rich David made a promise not to purchase any properties while serving as Mayor. "While he's mayor, though, he will not purchase any commercial properties, he said in a March interview, a nod to questions … [Read more...] about Mayor David Breaks Promise: Purchases Rental Property under Secret LLC
Mayor David’s 2022 Budget: Hidden Gems for Police, the Baseball Stadium, and the Golf Course; And the Impacts of David’s “Big Flush” Start to Emerge
Binghamton Mayor Rich David unveiled his 2022 Budget last week, a financial plan that the next mayor will inherit. As usual, Mayor David’s final Budget Address was full of political soundbites and rosy rhetoric, intentionally directing the gaze of the media exactly where he wanted. Here are four key takeaways, unpreported by the local press, that Mayor … [Read more...] about Mayor David’s 2022 Budget: Hidden Gems for Police, the Baseball Stadium, and the Golf Course; And the Impacts of David’s “Big Flush” Start to Emerge
Mayor David Already Exhausts All $23 Million of Recovery Funds On Outrageous, Slap-In-The-Face Priorities Without Any Public Input
Binghamton received the first half of the unprecedented federal recovery award, $23 of $46 million, this summer. According to the 8/16 City Council Work Session Packet, Mayor David has already programmed every penny. And aside from a last-minute, face-saving announcement of $6 million for affordable housing, not a single penny is being allocated to help … [Read more...] about Mayor David Already Exhausts All $23 Million of Recovery Funds On Outrageous, Slap-In-The-Face Priorities Without Any Public Input
$48 Million for An Equitable Recovery in Binghamton: Commit at Least Half to Housing Justice
As reported previously here at The Bridge, Binghamton is in line for $48 million in flexible federal aid to support recovery efforts as we emerge from the crushing impacts and trauma wrought by the pandemic. The first $24 million is expected by May 10, and the second half will be wired by the US Treasury around May 2022. The deadline to spend funds is … [Read more...] about $48 Million for An Equitable Recovery in Binghamton: Commit at Least Half to Housing Justice
The Federal Aid Windfall is not a Political Slush Fund: Here’s Why the Smart Move from Local Leaders Right Now is Patience
Local leaders all over the country—Republican and Democrats—are elated by the eye-popping federal aid awards included in Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. As reported previously here at The Bridge, the City of Binghamton is slated to receive about $48 million, and the Town of Union is in line for $32 million. The U.S. Treasury is required to … [Read more...] about The Federal Aid Windfall is not a Political Slush Fund: Here’s Why the Smart Move from Local Leaders Right Now is Patience
The Money Coming to Local Governments under Biden’s American Rescue Plan is Staggering and Fully Flexible: We Must Not Let Mayors, County Executives, and Governors Squander this Unprecedented Opportunity
Back in 2009 and 2010, as local governments started to drown in the wreckage of the Great Recession, Washington didn’t even bother to show up to lend a hand. Our federal leaders from both parties were too busy shoveling tax dollars to the very same Wall Street firms that imploded our economy and ultimately wiped-out billions in household wealth, with Black … [Read more...] about The Money Coming to Local Governments under Biden’s American Rescue Plan is Staggering and Fully Flexible: We Must Not Let Mayors, County Executives, and Governors Squander this Unprecedented Opportunity
NYC Equity Firm Makes Multi-Million Dollar Bet on Binghamton’s Student Rental Market: Outdated, Inequitable Assessment System Exposed
BINGHAMTON - In November 2019, a multi-million dollar transaction in student rental housing on Binghamton’s west side went completely unnoticed and unreported. Over three days that month, Stonebridge Property Group (SPG), a private equity firm from New York City, acquired 34 Binghamton properties—33 residential properties on the west side in the “college … [Read more...] about NYC Equity Firm Makes Multi-Million Dollar Bet on Binghamton’s Student Rental Market: Outdated, Inequitable Assessment System Exposed
Binghamton’s Police Reform Panel: Not Even Started, and Already a Failure
On June 12, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order requiring each local government in the state, with a paid police department, to adopt a policing reform plan by April 1, 2021. On June 15, Mayor David was quick to respond, explaining to Bob Joseph on WNBF that a coalition will soon be named to start reviewing police policies and procedures in … [Read more...] about Binghamton’s Police Reform Panel: Not Even Started, and Already a Failure
Binghamton is violating its own ‘Complete Streets Policy’
When announcing Binghamton's 2020 street improvement plan earlier this year, Mayor David promised the multi-million dollar investments would benefit all users and all abilities. “Focusing on Complete Streets principles and ADA-compliant infrastructure ensures all residents have safe access regardless of age or ability,” said Mayor David in his media … [Read more...] about Binghamton is violating its own ‘Complete Streets Policy’
