A lot can change in five years time and on one block in Endicott, it has. Our Elyse Mickalonis tells us about the turnaround for businesses on Washington Avenue and how owners there are looking to keep it going.

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ENDICOTT, N.Y. -- Business has been booming along Washington Avenue in Endicott.

“In the past five years, there have been some changes on the avenue that are really remarkable and we wanted to share that information with our sponsors,” said Brian Luby, Chakra Communications Regional VP.

The Downtown Endicott Business Association held a presentation on Tuesday evening to share the good news. They say that currently there are only nine vacant buildings on Washington Avenue compared to five years ago when there were 24. The avenue also had 25 new businesses open and 23 are still in operation. And seven businesses on the avenue have expanded or upgraded in that time.

"It's been difficult getting people to participate in the organization because we've been going on such a login time, but now we've got enthusiasm growing,” said Bill Starring, Downtown Endicott Business Association Treasurer

“In the past five years, the crime rate, arrest rate on Washington Ave. has gone down 36 percent, so that combined with the added businesses around the avenue, all the investment, this is a good thing that’s happening,” said Luby.

Business owners say with positive progress and a lower crime rate, they’d love to see a SUNY presence in the area.

"We have a lot of apartments for rent. We'd like to get the kids down here either from BCC or SUNY Binghamton. There's a lot of enthusiasm, we've got a lot of new businesses they'd help grow,” said Starring.

And create more opportunities in the village.

For more information on the D.E.B.A., membership, meetings and more, contact J. Brian Luby at bluby@chakracentral.com or (607)-748-7491.