UNION, N.Y. — The Agency on Thursday announced it is seeking proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of the site formerly known as the “IBM Country Club.”
It’s located at 4301 Watson Boulevard in the town of Union.
The Agency is the rebranded name of the Broome County Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation.
The Agency recently extended an option for purchase of the property and is seeking a viable development project.
Nestled between a golf course and the village of Johnson City’s commercial business district, this site “serves as the perfect opportunity to generate long-term sustainable benefits for the community through its development,” the Agency contended in a news release.
The site covers about nine acres and is zoned as “general commercial.” Developers with experience in “high-quality, mixed-use development are encouraged to respond.”
Broome County’s comprehensive plan and the Agency’s housing study both point to a need to increase residential or mixed-use residential complexes to address growing demand for rental housing.
The Agency said the property offers optimal access to major roadways and public transportation including Interstates 81 and 88, Route 17, and the Broome County and Binghamton University bus lines.
The organization also cites its proximity to UHS Hospital and Medical Services, the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the 600 businesses and 11,000 professionals found in the central business district of Johnson City.
“I am excited to pursue the redevelopment of this site, which sits in a very active and visible corridor in Broome County,” Stacey Duncan, executive director of the Agency, said in the release. “I’m confident that we can create a dynamic public-private partnership to provide increased tax revenue to the community.”
The Agency says its “basic evaluation criteria” include the offered purchase price, development approach, design & innovation, development team information, relevant project experience, financial capability, and qualified references. The Agency requests that interested developers review the full request-for-proposal (RFP) requirements before submission.
The RFP will be made available electronically at http://www.theagency-ny.com. Applicants can request digital copies of any completed environmental reports or surveys for review.
Site visits can be scheduled beginning Monday, Sept. 14. Responses must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11.
The Agency “reserves the right to reject any or all responses” as result of this RFP. For more information on the RFP, completed environmental reviews, or site visits, contact Brendan O’Bryan at (607) 584-9000 or email: bjo@theagency-ny.com.
All inquiries must be made by the close of business Nov. 10, the Agency said.