Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council

Governor Kathy Hochul outlined plans for the next two phases of a transformative, mixed-use development project that is breathing new life into the former Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, Broome County. Now known as Oakdale Commons, the distressed mall is undergoing a rebirth aimed at creating a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use, mixed income, transit-oriented anchor destination for residents and visitors alike in the Southern Tier. 

Efforts include the adaptive reuse of an adjacent vacant site for the construction of new housing to support workforce development initiatives in the Greater Binghamton area, the creation of further commercial opportunities, and the establishment of an expansive child care center that will service targeted regional needs, which are all top priorities for the Governor. Still home to several successful retail outlets, the former Oakdale Mall, which opened in 1975, has close to 964,000 square-feet of usable space. Johnson City, which was also a round six winner in the administrations’ successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, was among the first communities to be certified under the Governor's nation-leading Pro-Housing Communities program. 

“The Oakdale Commons project is transforming a once distressed mall into a vibrant, mixed-use community asset, which will provide much-needed affordable housing, child care and ensure access to medical care,” Governor Hochul said. “This innovative project further supports the transformation already underway in Johnson City and will serve as a glowing testament to what can be accomplished when the State and local stakeholders all pull together to get things done.” 

Governor Hochul highlighted FY 2025 Budget investments in the Southern Tier during a visit to Binghamton University. The Governor announced $1.4 billion in school aid for the Southern Tier – a $10 million increase in aid – as well as $123 million for renovations and maintenance at Binghamton University. The budget also includes $84.7 million for health care capital projects in the Southern Tier and $7.5 million for improvements at Taughannock Falls State Park. Governor Hochul also announced that the Hamlets of Roxbury and Grand Gorge, located within the Town of Roxbury, will receive $10 million in funding as the joint Southern Tier Region winners of the seventh round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The Village of Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport will receive $4.5 million each as this year’s Southern Tier region NY Forward winners. 14 Southern Tier localities, including the Town of Roxbury, Village of Groton, Town of Urbana, and Village of Hammondsport, join 143 localities statewide in launching applications to become Pro-Housing Communities. The City of Binghamton, the Village of Dryden, and the Village of Johnson City are already certified Pro-Housing Communities in the Southern Tier.

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