The City of Binghamton begins stricter enforcement of its vacant property ordinance.

Mayor Matt Ryan says all vacant properties must be registered with the city.

But Ryan says about 100 are not.

The city is now gearing up to serve each property owner with a ticket to appear in court.

The maximum penalty for an un-registered vacant property is a $1,000 fine or six months in jail.

Ryan says this action is necessary to keep blight out of the city.

"It's going to send a strong message to people in our community that are sitting on vacant properties that we want to see some action. If they don't want to do anything with the property maybe they should consider you know selling them to someone who does." says Ryan.

The Mayor says the former Windsor Lounge on Court Street is being rehabilitated.

He says its one example of how property owners can preserve the city's architecture and history.