Suitable. Durable. Attractive. Those are the characteristics of livability, according to Joe Conforti, an intern at the City of Binghamton mayor’s office. And those are the characteristics the City of Binghamton should keep aspiring to.

Conforti, a Binghamton University senior, spearheaded the forum “Livability in Binghamton” Tuesday to create dialogue between students of BU and officials.

The panel included Binghamton officials Matthew T. Ryan, mayor; Merry Harris, director of the Economic Development office; Ana Shaello-Johnson, director of the Youth Bureau; and Joseph Zikuski, Interim police chief. BU was represented by Dave Husch, director of BU’s Off Campus College and Dave Bass, Student Association president.

“Livability is when everyone has a place at the table,” Ryan said. “Livability is creating community and making the city a destination.”

The discussion highlighted what Ryan refers to as components for an effective city: talent, tolerance and technology.

Husch helps students find off-campus housing, and said students have rights and responsibilities.

“We are planning welcome back block parties so students can meet longtime residents of Binghamton and forge relationships with them,” Husch said.

Harris said there is a lot of high technology coming out of Binghamton. There is a lot of support and it is affordable to start and grow a business, she said.

“This is a city where you matter and can make a difference,” Harris said. “There are at least three or four businesses started by students with the availability of low-interest loans.”

Ryan realizes how IBM’s departure from Binghamton negatively affected the area. IBM was once a major employer in the Southern Tier.

He is hopeful that Endicott Interconnect Technologies can help Binghamton become the “Silicone Valley East.” The City has also had a steady housing market, he said.

“There was no big bubble here in Binghamton,” Ryan said. “We actually had the second fasting growing prices for houses last year.”

Shaello-Johnson stressed how easy it is for businesses in Binghamton to grow and find labor.

Assemblywoman Donna A. Lupardo secured a $1 million investment to fund an Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking (ATTAIN) lab. The lab “gives people trade value and training to people who can’t afford college. It produces highly skilled workers,” Shaello-Johnson said.

Zikuski said he wants BU students to have a safe time while respecting the rights of Binghamton residents.

At the beginning of the question and answer period, Dmitry Traytel, a BU graduate and Binghamton resident formerly from Staten Island, said, “Binghamton’s atmosphere is not interesting. There are boarded up storefronts. The Ross O’Neil building is being knocked down. What would help?”

Ryan was the first to respond. He said that Binghamton is trying to attract businesses. He is hopeful the situation will start to remedy with vacant property taxes and fees, a new law school and student housing.

Tom MacDonald, a longtime resident of Binghamton, asked students what they want to see.

“More cafes and bookstores would be nice,” Dave Bass said. “We can’t get to a place like Java Joes when it closes during the afternoon.”

The rest of the forum discussed alternative diversions besides bars.

“There is the Art Mission, Night Eagle Caf√É.√©, bars with live music, Lost Dog Caf√É.√©,” Ryan said. “There are things to do if you look around. We have also discussed moving some summer events into the school year so that students can participate.”

Participants brought up ways to inform the public about these attractions and events, including one who suggested looking at the upcoming events sections in local newspapers.

Taylor Watts, a junior English, creative writing and theater major, suggested handing out information at orientation.

“The students should not have to pull out the information, it should be delivered,” said Binghamton resident Uta Sinclair.

Husch said Off Campus College will be posting a “Things to do” page on its Web site.

After the forum, Watts, a student, and MacDonald, a Binghamton resident, discussed having a larger venue for events, possibly a cafÃ.é or an area that can be rented out by students.