Mixed-Use Development to Transform Former College Campus
(JOHNSON CITY, NY) – Local and state officials joined Square Deal Partners today to break ground on Riverside Gardens, a transformative $15.5 million redevelopment of the former Davis College campus at 400 Riverside Drive in the Village of Johnson City. Once complete, the project will breathe new life into the long-vacant site with 67 modern market-rate apartments and approximately 22,000 square feet of commercial space.
Led by Square Deal Partners, the development will blend residential living with business space to create a vibrant, community-focused environment. The apartments will feature high-quality amenities such as fitness and recreation areas, gaming lounges, and private storage. The project will also include public-facing features like a new restaurant, a gymnasium, outdoor grilling areas, and EV charging stations.
This project is supported by a $500,000 award from New York State’s Restore New York Communities Initiative, a $500,000 investment from Broome County’s new Economic Development Fund, and additional assistance from the Broome County Industrial Development Agency through sales and mortgage tax exemptions and a PILOT agreement.
By transforming a dormant campus into a vibrant residential and commercial hub, Riverside Gardens directly addresses the growing need for housing in Broome County and will further support the ongoing revitalization of Johnson City and its surrounding communities.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “Riverside Gardens brings new life to a key area in Johnson City and addresses our growing need for more housing. It’s exactly the type of forward-thinking development our community needs, and Broome County is proud to support it through our new Economic Development Fund – the first of many projects we’ll help bring to life.”
“We are excited to see the redevelopment of the former Davis College into Riverside Gardens,” said Village of Johnson City Mayor Martin Meaney. “This property is in the middle of a residential neighborhood and has sat dormant for quite some time. This redevelopment will provide much needed housing along with bringing vibrancy back into this beautiful parklike setting.”
“The groundbreaking for the new Riverside Gardens at the former Davis College site marks a significant step forward in the continued redevelopment of underutilized properties in Broome County. As construction begins, it symbolizes the transformation of the site into a vibrant residential community,” said Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance.
"Today's groundbreaking is more than the start of construction— it is a transformation of this historic property to something meaningful for this community,” said Richard Gangemi, CEO of Fahs Construction Group.
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “After years of vacancy, I'm happy to see work on Riverside Gardens finally getting underway. Once complete, this new community will be home to 67 units, a restaurant, recreational areas, and EV charging stations, along with its own iconic post office. I’m also pleased that the project received support from our RESTORE NY program which provides financial assistance to revitalize commercial and residential properties. I commend Square Deal Partners for their vision, and thank Empire State Development, Broome County, the IDA and others for their partnership.”
"Today’s groundbreaking at Riverside Gardens marks another exciting step forward in Johnson City’s transformation," said State Senator Lea Webb. "This $15.5 million redevelopment will turn a long-vacant campus into a vibrant place to live, work, and gather. It's exactly the kind of investment that helps communities thrive. I’m proud to support projects like this that bring high-quality housing, business space, and new opportunities to Broome County. Thank you to Square Deal Partners, our state and local partners, and everyone who’s helping turn this vision into reality."
