2.) Reinvent the downtown as a mixed-use area that could sustain 24/7 liveability. This could be accomplished also in several ways:
-I noticed many vacant upper-stories of commercial buildings in the Downtown Binghamton area during my photo tour that could very easily be turned into living space. A successful transformation of a once lackluster 9-5 commercial downtown into a thriving 24/7 residential neighborhood should incorporate people from
all socioeconomic backgrounds---from struggling single mothers who work downtown as janitors and want to live in a 2-bedroom rent-controlled apartment to young professionals who want to live in modern lofts with city skyline views. Here are a few examples of
potential:
While Boscov's Department Store is something that should be retained to keep Downtown Binghamton vibrant, notice how that narrow immediately-adjacent building and the red building furthest to the left (with the blue awning) are sitting idle. If you were to refurbish that narrow building into having one stylish loft apartment per floor, you'd have four loft apartments located above some sort of new business venture (let's assume some small service-oriented establishment to meet the needs of the new downtown residents, like a barber shop or a locksmith). That building on the left could house a downtown market on the street-level to cater to the day-to-day grocery needs of downtown residents along with perhaps an artists' studio on the second floor (with those big glass windows to showcase their work), along with either low-income rent-controlled apartments or studio apartments on the upper floors (let's assume there's room for four units altogether). Just from these two buildings, we've gained a service-oriented business, a market, and eight residential units---four geared towards upper-middle-class young professionals and four geared towards the lower-middle-class. Let's assume the following:
Four lofts = 6 new residents (2 singles, 2 couples/roomies)
Four rent-controlled units = 12 new residents (4 families of 3)
Just from these two buildings alone the downtown will have gained 18 new residents who will shop at the new market (with the blue awning), get haircuts at the new barber shop next-door, and buy their school clothes or luggage at Boscov's.
Here's another example:
This image shows a part of Court Street that is in trouble. The Subway appears to be the
only functioning business out of six distinct storefronts I can identify. The Subway should stay right where it is---the more spots for downtown residents to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch the merrier. Just to the left of the Subway (in the same building) is another empty storefront that might be used to house perhaps a Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins, or some independent ice cream parlor with sidewalk seating that could be used to cap off an Italian sub on a hot summer day. The second floor of this building could perhaps house four standard apartments geared towards the middle-class (let's assume this building is as deep as it is wide). The third floor has unique windows that would make for some awesome lofts (let's assume four of these types of units as well).
Four apartments = 9 new residents (1 family of three, 2 couples, 2 singles)
Four lofts = 8 new residents (1 family of three, 2 couples, 1 single)
Just from this one building with the Subway we could potentially gain one new ice cream parlor (or similar business venture) and 17 new residents, which, when combined with the new residents near Boscov's, would bring our total thus far to 35 new downtown residents that would help to increase foot traffic (which would reduce crime) and help existing businesses to flourish while new business ventures are established to latch onto the growing residential population.
In this same photo, let's focus on that gorgeous building in the center of the photo which has two vacant storefronts and three upper-stories. Depending on the depth of this building, it would be a
perfect location for that potential joint-college bookstore I mentioned. I could see Borders or Barnes & Noble combining those two empty storefronts and installing an escalator inside to build a two-story bookstore---perhaps with the ground-level featuring a Starbucks and the main retail area and the second-floor featuring the college textbooks and a campus gear store. The building's third floor with its large windows would make it perfect for some sort of professional/office usage. The top floor looks ideal for small, reasonably-priced apartments that would not be rent-controlled but could attract people from diverse backgrounds (let's assume up to 6 apartments depending on the depth of the building).
Six apartments = 11 new residents (1 Family of four, 2 couples, 3 singles)
Just from this center building we have gained 11 new residents, bringing our current downtown tally to 46. We've also gained a new campus bookstore, professional office, ice cream parlor, barber shop, and market.
Next in the photo we have that "Phil's" building, where whatever business that was once housed there now looks to be defunct. Let's once again combine those two smaller storefronts into one larger storefront that could house a decent-sized ethnic restaurant (perhaps Thai, Greek, or Indian). If the restaurant is unique enough, it could easily draw in suburbanites to sample its flavor---suburbanites who would then saunter up and down Court Street to patronize our other new businesses. The second-story doesn't look quite as large as the other structures, so let's assume we'll have room for two apartments up there.
Two apartments = 4 new residents (2 couples/roomies)
These four new residents brings our downtown tally to an even 50, and we've only done several buildings along Court Street thus far. Finally, let's examine the last building visible in the photo, which is partially-obscured by the white van. You can't make out what's on the first-floor from this image, but let's assume that judging by the well-kept condition of the building that it currently houses some sort of business. Let's keep that business intact and utilize the upper two floors for a nice condo on each floor (the second floor has a nice balcony).
Two condos = 4 new residents (1 Family of three, 1 single)
Just from two of my photos we now have a slew of new business ventures that will cater to the needs of the growing downtown population, which is now at 54 (which might be higher or lower depending on the ratio and size of families in comparison to single people and couples/roomies).
Where will all of these new residents, shoppers, etc. park, might you ask?
Well, while I normally don't suggest this, I'd say tear down these crumbling buildings along Court Street and replace them with a parking garage that would offer both monthly and daily spots. (This is assuming that this image is of a current demolition of these buildings anyways and not of a rehabilitation, in which case I'd retract these plans for another alternative). Monthly spots would be offered discounts for residents, some of whom might even opt to forgo owning a vehicle in favor of riding those new trolleys (or buses) around the city or meeting all of their basic needs along a revitalized Court Street.
These are just brushing the surface of the ideas I have for Binghamton. Feel free to let me know what you think!
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