Update on Washington Avenue and iDistrict Revitalization Projects
In 2015, the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) was awarded funding as part of the NYS Upstate Revitalization Initiative competition to focus on the economic development of Upstate New York as part of a long-term plan for economic growth. The REDC then created three Innovation Districts (iDistricts) in Binghamton, Johnson City, and Endicott and recommended to NYS to also create a Greater Binghamton Fund as an economic development strategy for the Southern Tier. The $20 million Greater Binghamton Fund was officially established in 2017, which created a competitive financial incentive program designed to implement transformative projects and encourage public and private investments in the Southern Tier’s iDistricts.
In 2018, As part of the Greater Binghamton Fund Strategic Investment Plan, the Village of Endicott was awarded funding in the amount of $3.7 million, which along with an investment of $2.5 million from the Village will create a total investment of $6.2 million for three downtown revitalization projects. These projects include Washington Avenue Streetscape, Ideal Alley, and Gateway Improvements. These were projects developed by the Village and submitted to the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council, which were approved and allocated funding from the Greater Binghamton Fund.
After approval from NYS, the Village was able to issue a Request for Qualifications from interested Engineering/Design firms who would be able to work with the Village on the redesign of the three revitalization projects. Upon completing an extensive review and interview process, the Village selected Delta Engineers to further develop these projects and prepare them for the construction phase of the process.
Since selecting Delta Engineers, the Village of Endicott established a Washington Avenue Revitalization Committee, which consists of stakeholders in various areas, including Village Officials, Town of Union Economic Development, Washington Avenue businesses, local developers, Huron Campus, BAE, Little Italy, and the Union-Endicott Central School District. The Washington Avenue Revitalization Committee is responsible for working with Delta to review different improvement proposals and work through the multiple design ideas that are discussed to find viable options which both benefit downtown businesses and create an inviting environment for future development. Some of the committee’s goals are to improve walkability along the Washington Avenue corridor, enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility, and increase patronage of businesses along the Avenue.
Another major component of the revitalization projects is to present proposals to the public and request input on which items they would like to see continued into the final design and to take into consideration any ideas or recommendations that should also be included in the redesign plans. Currently, the Revitalization Committee has developed three options for review on a new layout design for Washington Avenue. At this time, we will be seeking feedback on the conceptual designs that will be presented in this initial phase. Other features such as lighting, greenspace/trees, gathering areas, etc., will be incorporated as well. These three options will be made available for review and comment by the public within the next week. We have developed a Washington Avenue project website where anyone interested can view the designs and provide their feedback on the proposals. This website will also be used to provide project updates throughout the entirety of the project.
Once this project website is launched, we will provide an update on the Village of Endicott Website and Social Media page and provide a link and the address to the new project website where everyone will be able to review the proposals and submit any feedback and comments to the Village.
We encourage everyone to take a minute and review the proposed options of the new Washington Avenue design and provide any input to the Village so that we may take your ideas into consideration as we work to create a vibrant downtown that promotes business development and increases accessibility and safety throughout the Washington Avenue corridor.
Anthony Bates
Village Manager
Chair, Washington Avenue Revitalization Committee
