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Updated 02/09/2012 06:41 PM

Future student housing will help downtown Binghamton

By: Melissa Kakareka

Some Binghamton University students will be moving downtown in the fall. Construction on two student housing complexes is moving along. In fact, the Twin River Commons complex showed off its model apartments on Washington Street Thursday. As our Melissa Kakareka tells, the new apartments are expected to benefit more than just students.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Excitement is building in downtown Binghamton as the completion of several new student housing complexes comes closer.

"Both of these projects are very high end, they are absolutely beautiful furnishings, really well done, so we're excited about having that student population downtown," said Binghamton Economic Development Director Merry Harris.

Twin River Commons and another student housing facility at 20 Hawley Street are expected to be open in August. Leasing procedures and model apartments showings are already underway.

Officials say they expect the infusion of hundreds of Binghamton University students to help existing downtown businesses.

"Downtown has been kind of nine to five and focused on the working crowd and their hours, so now we're expecting existing businesses to stay open into the evening," said Harris.

"Once this totally opens and is filled up, people who are already there may have to hire new people," said Broome County Executive Debbie Preston.

The college crowd is expected to bring in new businesses as well.

Economic development officials are working on recruiting additions like a grocery store or frozen yogurt shop.

"We're looking at the kinds of other businesses that will keep the students down here, the types of things they would want, activities other than bar activities like a pool hall or places where they could do some more recreational things, maybe some venues for live music," said Harris.

"It will bring in 600 new kids each year, new little businesses will pop in, there will be a need for a little coffee shop or whatever else they want," said President of the Downtown Binghamton Business Association Ron Sall.

Providing an economic boost the downtown region in the future.