Binghamton Residents Want City to Act on “Nuisance” Property

Some people who live in a Binghamton neighborhood are expressing frustration that nothing has been done to address ongoing problems at a house on their street.

Mayor Jared Kraham said the property at 19 Blanchard Avenue on the North Side "has been on the city's radar for a number of months."

During a WNBF Radio interview, Kraham said the city issued a lockdown warning last year because of "nuisance and criminal activity that was happening there."

The mayor said a petition detailing "public safety concerns" regarding the property was delivered to his office. He said it's essentially "a drug house - let's just call it what it is." He said it's "a source of major quality of life issues" for neighborhood residents.

Kraham said the matter was discussed during a North Side neighborhood meeting Thursday night. He said his office is working with Binghamton police and the city attorney's office because of the ongoing complaints.

One neighbor last June sent "an urgent request for action" to Kraham complaining about loud disturbances, visible drug paraphernalia and a "steady stream of individuals coming and going at all hours."

Kraham said the owner "has done nothing to abate the nuisance activity" linked to the property.

Renkan Holdings LLC acquired the site in October 2019. Kraham noted the property is owned by former city councilmember and one-time mayoral candidate Teri Rennia.

The mayor said although he hasn't spoken with Rennia about the matter, the city's legal department has been in contact with her. He said a lockdown warning was issued last summer.

Shortly after Kraham discussed the property, Rennia called into the program to respond. She said she's faced "an ongoing campaign of harassment" from those in the neighborhood. She said a cease-and-desist order was issued barring some of those who've been complaining from contacting her.

Rennia said the person who is living in the house "is struggling with some issues." She said when the city cited problems with the property, "we have remedied the situation."

Rennia acknowledged that people come and go from the place but "there certainly are no drug sales going on" at the site. She said that doesn't mean that those who visit "don't have substance use problems - they very well may." She said "I know that the tenant does and we're trying to help."

Rennia said although there have been some minor incidents at the property, "there were no drug arrests (and) there were no weapon arrests." She said there have been no violent incidents associated with the address.

LISTEN: Mayor Jared Kraham and former city councilmember Terri Rennia discussed the Blanchard Avenue property on WNBF Radio on May 8, 2026.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @bobjoseph.bsky.social on Bluesky or @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.