Mayor Kraham Announces Abandoned RV Clean-Up

Mayor Kraham Announces New Approach to Cleaning Up Abandoned Recreational Vehicles

Changes Aimed at Removing Unwanted, Illegal Eyesores From Neighborhoods

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)-Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Friday outlined a new initiative to remove illegal and abandoned recreational vehicles (RVs) from private and public property in the City of Binghamton.

Mayor Kraham said: "Abandoned RVs too often become neighborhood eyesores that languish in violation of City codes, creating environmental hazards and safety concerns for nearby residents, on top of unwanted blight. This new approach will allow City officials to move more quickly and get these eyesores cleaned up without long delays, improving quality of life and helping keep neighborhoods healthy and safe. We hope it can be a statewide model for tackling a historically difficult neighborhood issue."

The City has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the removal, demolition and remediation of abandoned RVS within City limits, in coordination with the Binghamton Police Department and Office of Code Enforcement.

The RFQ seeks to eliminate environmental hazards, improve neighborhood safety and restore compliance with City codes.

Abandoned RVs not removed following Code citation will be removed at the property owner's cost, similar to remediation of high grass by the Parks Department or demolition of unsafe structures. If the property owner fails to pay the bill for service, it will be rolled to property taxes.

Contractors will be responsible for the safe removal and disposal of potentially hazardous materials, such as fuel, batteries and refrigerants, in accordance with state environmental regulations.

Currently, towing companies avoid handling RVs due to limited scrap value and environmental challenges disposing of debris.

The new initiative was developed with input from the Binghamton Police Traffic Division, Office of Code Enforcement and Office of Corporation Counsel.

The RFQ can be found on the City's website: https://www.binghamton-ny.gov/Home/Components/RFP/RFP/368/90.

Responses to the RFQ are due Wednesday, February 4^th.