Miles Burnett Calls for Reinvigorating Binghamton’s Vacant Property Registry to Counter Blight

Burnett campaign releases additional platform planks to restore neighborhoods and aid the environment

Binghamton, NY – Miles Burnett, Democratic and Working Families Party Candidate for Mayor of Binghamton, released a plan to restore Binghamton neighborhoods by curtailing the vast number of vacant properties throughout the city. Vacant properties contribute to the city’s ever-worsening housing crisis, hurt homeowners' property values, and can endanger residents and first responders when addressing complaints and emergencies.

The City of Binghamton, under the last two administrations, has allowed the Vacant Property registry to lapse. This registry is the master list of properties the city uses to keep tabs on these community hazards and raise revenue for their upkeep. Estimates suggest that 20% or fewer of the city’s vacant properties are registered. While the registry used to generate almost $200,000 annually a decade ago, now the city expects less than $50,000 in fees in 2025.

“Vacant properties are holding our neighborhoods back,” said Burnett. “These eyesores hurt property values. People dump garbage in their overgrown lots. Kids and homeless people are at risk of getting injured in them. For too long, out-of-town and neglectful property owners have allowed much-needed housing to rot. Every vacant property is a chance to breathe new life into our neighborhoods. When I am Mayor, I will reestablish the vacant property registry so we clean up our neighborhoods and proactively address these buildings before they endanger the community.”

Burnett also said he would work with the State to identify unregistered properties, expand youth employment in the summer months to maintain and monitor the buildings at the owner’s expense, and pass legislation mandating an annual report on vacant properties in Binghamton.

To learn more about Miles Burnett’s platform: www.burnettforbinghamton.com/priorities

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