This is the second in a series of articles on Blueprint Binghamton, the comprehensive plan for the next 10 years. The report which is divided into many chapters, gives a snapshot of who lives here and what challenges we face. First of all, we have lost 41% of our population from 1950 to 2010– 80,674 to 47,376. The good news is that we seem to have stabilized our numbers.
There are more non-family households 52.8%, and only 26.9% of those are traditional with a husband and wife, and our family size is 2.18 persons. The population is 77.6% white, and 11.4% African-American, 4.2% Asian, and 4.4% two or more races. Our median age is 35.8 years, with 15.5% seniors, and 20.1% under 18.
And here’s a shocker: the median household income is $30,179; the poverty level is 31.2%, even as the unemployment rate is 7.1%. The median income in Broome Co is $45,856 and in NYS is $57,683. 83.6% are high school graduates and 23.5% have a Bachelor’s degree.
Of the nearly 24,000 housing units 11% are vacant, and 57% are rentals.
Given some of these challenges, citizen feedback has been remarkably hopeful. What people collectively have said they want for the future in Binghamton is a city that is thriving, healthy, alive, resilient and sustainable, and proud.
To read this section or any of the 7 mini plan chapters download it from the Blueprint Binghamton site. There is a survey attached to each mini-plan for citizen feedback and there are a series of public meetings to comment. see below.
The plan can be downloaded from the Blueprint Binghamton site in several documents and includes 7 “mini-plans” on economic development, housing, transportation, land use, infrastructure, environment, and community building. There is a survey for community feedback after each mini-plan.
It is critical for people to be involved in a series of hearings; people may speak at any of the hearings, or submit a written statement. Or, contact Mayor David or your Councilperson. The meetings are as follows:
* May 5 Planning Commission Public Hearing–The Planning Commission will host a public hearing at which members of the public are invited to offer comments on the draft update of the Comprehensive Plan.
*May 7 City Council Public Hearing 1 City Council will host its first public hearing at which the public can offer comments on the draft update of the Comprehensive Plan.
*May 12 Joint City Council & Planning Commission Session 1 A work session with the consultant team to discuss the Draft of Blueprint Binghamton.
*May 14 Joint City Council & Planning Commission Session 2 A work session with the consultant team to discuss the Drafts of Blueprint Binghamton and the Main/Court Street Corridor Plan.
*June 18 City Council Public Hearing 2 City Council will host a second public hearing at which the public can offer comments on the revised draft of the Comprehensive Plan.
For more information, contact Melissa Enoch at the City 607-772-7028 x156 or mlenoch@ cityofbinghamton.com.