Mayor Kraham Announces $300K for Construction of VINES Office Downtown

New VINES Headquarters to be City’s First Net Zero Energy Building

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)—Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Monday announced the City will provide $300,000 to VINES for construction of a 4,000-square-foot office building with community space in downtown Binghamton.

“VINES’ new downtown headquarters will revitalize an important part of Binghamton’s urban core and grow the organization’s impact on low-income neighborhoods and their access to healthy, locally produced foods,” said Mayor Jared M. Kraham. “As a model for sustainable development, this project will also shine a spotlight on our City’s leading role in advancing green solutions for the future.”

VINES plans to break ground on the approximately $1.8 million building next year.

The new headquarters will be built on two vacant lots at 157 Susquehanna St. and 1 Fayette St., two blocks from the VINES Urban Farm and out of the floodplain. VINES acquired the lots from the City in 2020.

Under the plans, VINES’ new building will include office space, kitchen, dry and cold storage, and a large open community programming space.

The building will also be the first net zero energy building in the City and the first known commercial structure in the northeast to use straw bales for insulation, resulting in greater energy efficiency and a smaller environmental footprint.

“VINES is grateful to have the City of Binghamton's support in building our new headquarters on Susquehanna Street,” said VINES Executive Director Amelia LoDolce. “This neighborhood has been home to our first community gardens and to our urban farm for now 15 years. We're excited to further invest in the neighborhood and construct a Net Zero energy office and community building that will serve as a model in green construction.”

The City will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the project. Legislation will go to City Council for review at Monday’s work session.

Other funding sources for the project include New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grants, Empire State Development (ESD) grants, the Hoyt Foundation and donations from VINES capital campaigns and fundraising.