Riverside Gardens Opens at Former Davis College Campus in Johnson City

$15.5 million redevelopment brings new housing, commercial space and amenities to formerly vacant campus

(VILLAGE OF JOHNSON CITY, NY) - A former college campus in Johnson City has been transformed into a new residential and commercial community, as Riverside Gardens is now open and leasing at the former Davis College campus on Riverside Drive.

The $15.5 million redevelopment led by Square Deal Partners has transformed the long-vacant property at 400 Riverside Drive into a 75-unit residential and commercial complex. The development includes a variety of housing options, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, single-family homes, student rentals and furnished apartments, as well as commercial space.

Riverside Gardens also offers a range of amenities, including a fitness center, café, outdoor recreation areas and an on-site U.S. Post Office. The development is conveniently located near Binghamton University, Lourdes and Wilson hospitals and Oakdale Commons.

Riverside Gardens received significant state and local support to help make the redevelopment possible, including a $500,000 New York State Restore New York Communities Initiative award and a $500,000 investment from Broome County's Economic Development Fund.

The project also received assistance from the Broome County Industrial Development Agency through sales and mortgage tax exemptions and a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.

The Restore New York Communities Initiative provides funding to revitalize and redevelop vacant, abandoned and underutilized properties across New York State. The state's $500,000 award helped support the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the former Davis College property into new residential and commercial space.

Construction on Riverside Gardens began in 2025 with a June groundbreaking. Riverside Gardens is currently leasing apartments and offering in-person and virtual tours. More information is available at www.riversidegardensjc.com.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Riverside Gardens demonstrates how Governor Hochul's investments through Restore New York can transform communities. By creating new housing on this long vacant property, Johnson City is advancing the Governor's housing agenda while supporting neighborhood revitalization to generate new economic opportunities."

"It's great to see Riverside Gardens officially open and to see the former Davis College campus brought back to life. This was a long-vacant property that had a lot of potential, and Dave Drew and the team at Square Deal Partners saw that and made it happen," said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. "This project adds housing, brings new investment to Johnson City, and gives this property a whole new purpose. We're proud to have played a part in making it happen and thank Governor Hochul for the support in helping make this project a reality."

"Today we officially opened Riverside Gardens, adding additional market rate units to our growing portfolio of new housing options. I'm pleased the project received a $500K NYS Restore Award, helping to bring this once abandoned campus back to life. This new community is now home to 75 residential and commercial units, a café, recreation areas, and its own U.S. Post Office. I'd like to thank Square Deal Partners, County Executive Jason Garnar, the Broome County IDA, and all who contributed to this project," said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo.

Senator Lea Webb said, "The new housing development at Riverside Gardens in Johnson City is adding diverse housing in our community through important programs such as Restore NY Communities Initiatives. This program helps revitalize vacant or underutilized properties across the state for housing development. By reusing an existing structure and transforming it into something new, Riverside Gardens is expanding a historic building in our community to help address ongoing housing needs."

"Housing availability continues to be one of the most important economic development issues facing communities across our region," said Stacey Duncan, Executive Director of The Agency. "Riverside Gardens helps address that need while creating a welcoming environment for students, healthcare professionals, young families, and others who want to call Greater Binghamton home. This investment strengthens both our housing market and our ability to attract and retain talent."

Christina Charuk, Village of Johnson City Mayor said, "Today is about more than opening the doors to a new apartment complex-it's about creating another place where people can build their lives, put down roots, and call Johnson City home. Riverside Gardens represents investment in our community and in our future. We welcome this new development and look forward to seeing the residents, families, and neighbors who will make this place their own. Thank you to the developers, contractors, and government partners who have collaborated to make these homes available to our community."

"Projects like Riverside Gardens create a lasting impact beyond the construction itself. It's gratifying to see a property that sat vacant for years become a place where people can live, work and build community, strengthening Johnson City and the Greater Binghamton region for generations to come," said Shayn Bready, Project Manager, Fahs Construction Group.