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Posted on Jan 19th, 2022

The Agency Advances Option with Conifer Realty for Redevelopment of Former IBM Country Club. Proposal will Develop Affordable Housing and Green Space at Blighted Site

Binghamton Business News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        Contact: Stacey Duncan

January 18, 2022,                                                                                        smd@theagency-ny.com

 

The Agency Advances Conifer for Redevelopment of Former IBM Country Club.

Proposal will Develop Affordable Housing and Green Space at Blighted Site

UNION, NY – The Broome County Local Development Corporation approved an option for purchase with the development team of Conifer Realty and LeChase Construction. The Agency selected Conifer through a request for proposal process in the fall of 2021. The purchase option agreement will enable Conifer to begin a 90-day due diligence period and prepare a competitive application for housing tax credits from New York State’s Office of Homes and Community Renewal. The proposed sale price for the property is $300,000.

Conifer’s proposed development will transform the site into a 75-unit affordable housing complex. The project includes approximately 75-units of affordable or “workforce” housing between 30% and 90% of AMI, or area-median income. The new three-story apartment complex will include fully ADA compliant 18 one-bedroom apartments, 38 two-bedroom apartments, and 19 three-bedroom apartments. Ten percent of the units will be fully adapted for those with mobility impairments, and 4% will be adapted for those with hearing and/or visual impairments. The proposed design also includes designs that will make the facility completely carbon neutral. 

“I am excited to begin a new chapter at the former IBM Country Club site,” said Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance, a strategic partnership between The Agency and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce. “The team at Conifer have a successful track record of completing high-quality affordable housing projects and have committed to integrating the history of this site into its design. In addition, this project will continue to advance efforts to address the need for new and modern affordable housing.”

“Conifer is thrilled for the opportunity to redevelop this underutilized site into a high-quality, state-of-the-art, affordable housing community," said Michael Birkby of Conifer Realty. Projects of this magnitude require a genuine team effort from all stakeholders, and we are proud to be a part of this public-private partnership with The Agency, Broome County, and the Town of Union. Through these partnerships and our commitment to our mission, we can uniquely transform this area into a home for possibilities where our residents can flourish."

"This is an exciting new chapter for the former IBM Country Club property, bringing in 75 much-needed units of affordable housing," said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. "What was once a destination for thousands of families in our community has turned into one of the County's biggest eyesores. The availability of federal America Rescue Plan funds has given us the chance to finally redevelop this site and turn it into something the community can be proud of once again. Thank you to our partners on the County Legislature and at The Agency for working with us on this important project."

Rick Materese, Town of Union Supervisor says “The storied history of that area has been blighted in recent decades. It is our hope that this endeavor will revitalize both the immediate area and spur other compatible proposals.”

The development team has also proposed the integration of community greenspace along the southwest corner of the site and plans to begin engagement with the neighboring community in the spring.

 

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