Plans to re-open Binghamton's Castle on the Hill head into the next phase. A study of the building's condition has been completed, and now a second analysis will determine the best use for the 85,000 square foot structure. 

"It's not going to be an inexpensive project. But in order for us to take the next step, someone really needs to come in and explain what the best uses might be and that's where the new market feasibility study comes in," says Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. 

Lupardo, one of the biggest proponents of the project, says the first survey turned up significant repairs that would need to be done to bring the building up to code. Those repairs include things like duct work and electrical systems. Before the money is put into fixing those things, Lupardo says they need to make sure they know what sort of use they're fixing them for.

Empire State Development has issued a request for proposals (RFP) and will select a firm to do that market feasibility study.

Back in 2015, Binghamton University took over stewardship of the building, which is still owned by the State Office of Mental Health. Lupardo says the university is still interested in using the space, but the market feasibility study will show whether academic use is the best option or if another route would be more sustainable.

 

 When Fox 40 went inside in 2017, we were the first cameras in the building in 24 years. It's now been almost 28 years since the public has been allowed inside. The national historic landmark was built in 1858 as the country's first inebriate asylum. Later, it became a hospital for the chronically insane. By 1890, it was renamed Binghamton State Hospital. The hospital was forced to close in 1993 when a portion of the facade collapsed. 

The push to save the castle has been a decades long quest. When Lupardo had secured $12.5 million in state funding to bring Upstate Medical into the space, it looked like the building was saved, but Upstate Medical pulled out and that money thought to be lost for good. When Binghamton University expressed interest, the funds were once again in play. Lupardo says a portion of that money was used for the structural analysis.

"I know... it seems to be taking forever to get this done, but it's such a large building with so many needs in terms of repairs that it really takes a group of people just constantly pushing along," says Lupardo. 

The Castle on the Hill project certainly has that group of people supporting it. Broome County Historian Roger Luther has been captivated by the building for decades. He started collecting stories from former staff and patients' families back in 2004 and compiling them on his website. 

 

 Roger Luther and Fox 40 reporter Amy Hogan inside the Castle on the Hill in 2017.

"We've got an awful lot of historic structures in the area, but they pale in comparison with the castle," says Luther.

Luther says although there have been setbacks and delays through the years, he is confident they're making progress this time around. As for what he wants to see go into the building, Luther doesn't have too many requirements. He just wants to see the building restored and history preserved.

"Hopefully they will reserve space for a museum inside. There are an awful lot of artifacts associated with Binghamton State Hospital and that would be a perfect place to put those on display," says Luther. 

Progress is also being made on a related project. Luther says he's in the process of getting a historic marker approved for the cemetery near the hospital where thousands of former patients are buried. He says the marker will honor them and mark the burial site.