Binghamton University faculty to discuss Johnson City’s revitalization
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton University SUNY Business Education Cooperative of the Southern Tier (SUNY BEST) will host a discussion about the revitalization of Johnson City at noon Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, 120 Hawley St., Binghamton. This presentation is free and open to the public.
Distinguished Service Professor John Frazier will discuss the Johnson City Revitalization Project – a story mapping project that organizes project information in a manner that tells the story of the revitalization process. With assistance from undergraduate and graduate students and Geography Department faculty and staff, Frazier is charting new territory by documenting the current status of the Johnson City neighborhood where the Health Sciences Campus is taking shape – with plans to continue the documentation well into the future.
“We’re looking at the business side and people who are redeveloping buildings in the area, as well as how the redevelopment will spill into other areas,” said Frazier. “Most studies like this take place 20 years out, but we’re starting on the ground floor with this community and how it has degraded since the 1960s. Now we’re beginning with the contemporary picture to see the impact of state dollars and University assistance in growing the economy. It’s a good initial picture.”
Developing the initial picture has required looking at a number of factors beyond the history of the site and construction progress. A deep dive into demographics has looked at:
• age, race and housing tenure of residents
• median rent
• unemployment and poverty rates
• land use
• zoning
• property ownership including local or non-local ownership, assessed value of buildings, housing conditions and violations
• crime incidents by type and location
Attendees can expect to learn the more about the impact of the social and physical modifications that occur as the University, state and private investors join forces to revitalize the area, while protecting residents. Those interested can also network with one another and learn about the Koffman Incubator and its programming.
To register, go online. Visit southerntierincubator.com for more information about the Koffman Incubator.
SUNY BEST is a networking/volunteer group that works to forge alliances, support the workforce needs of businesses, and provide outreach and information for companies. Interested persons can register through the SUNY BEST website at http://sunybest.binghamton.edu/. For additional information, email sunybest@binghamton.edu.