The official opening of Binghamton University’s Downtown Center brought together more than 200 University and community members and presented a positive outlook for the future of town-gown relations. The 74,000 square-foot building is equipped with 11 classrooms, conference rooms, a library, an information commons and features scenic views of the Susquehanna River. The Downtown Center has long been viewed by many as a means to better repair the relationship between college and town.
Both local and state dignitaries that spoke at the Aug. 20 opening of the $29 million facility expressed such hope.
‘We’ve been talking about improving town-gown relations for a long time,’ said Binghamton Mayor Matthew T. Ryan. ‘This will certainly have an effect on the way the local people see the college.’
Attendees also said they believed that frequenting the Downtown Center would help to change the student opinion of Downtown Binghamton and ‘townies.’
‘I am excited for the opportunity the Downtown Center offers us to see the Binghamton community at mid-day,’ said Student Association President David Bass. ‘Students will see that Downtown is more than just a strip of bars on State Street, but actually a real community with a lot to offer us.’
Further encouraging community interaction is the fact that both BU and Broome Community College will be holding classes in the building. BU’s departments of public administration, human development and social work are located in the building.
‘The three programs we offer here have a lot of basis in the community,’ BU President Lois DeFleur said. ‘We really feel that they will benefit by being so close to the community.’
Allison Perry, an assistant professor in the public administration department, said that she considered the move to be convenient.
‘Most of the work we do involves working with the community,’ she said. ‘For the past few years I’ve been commuting back and forth, so now it will be nice to teach here and just be able to walk out the door.’
An additional benefit of the facility’s location is the anticipated surge in business students will provide. Local business owners are preparing for an influx of students trying to kill time between classes.
‘We’ll be able to frequent more of the Downtown businesses,’ said Emily Slomin, a student affairs graduate student who will be taking classes in the building. ‘You know, go shopping at Boscov’s between classes.’
Binghamton has recently received several grants to tear down aging and decrepit buildings in the area, restore Main Street businesses and launch a wireless network Downtown. Mayor Ryan added that he believes the Downtown Center will greatly aid in the community’s continuing efforts to build-up the area.
‘There really is a new life in the area and this is a very important part of what is going on here,’ Ryan said. ‘Binghamton is coming back.’
The Downtown Center will host a community open house for both students and community members on Oct. 5 that will act as part of Binghamton’s First Friday Art Walk festivities.