The Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies Project (BNAP)

Mission Statement

Neighborhood Assemblies are forums in which city residents play a lead role in “restoring the pride” in Binghamton by sharing their concerns, hopes and needs and then working in conjunction with city government and community partners to implement positive change.

BNAP Video

Click the screen below for a video introduction to the Binghamton Neigborhood Assemblies Project. The six-minute clip is part of Mayor Ryan's four-part Video Series on Citizen Resources.

Neighborhood Assemblies: Monthly Schedule

Join your friends and neighbors at the regularly scheduled assemblies to learn of activity, development and events in your neighborhood.

CENTER CITY: every third Wednesday of the month, 6:00 - 7:30PM, Binghamton Housing Authority Technology Center at 38 Exchange Street

FIRST WARD/ELY PARK: every second Tuesday of the month, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, First Ward Senior Center, 226 Clinton Street (back entrance)

NORTH SIDE: every first Thursday of the month, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Centenary-Chenango Street United Methodist Church, 438 Chenango Street

WEST SIDE: every fourth Thursday of the month, 6:30 – 8:00 PM, Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 83 Main Street

SOUTHSIDE EAST: every second Monday of the month, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Conklin Avenue First Baptist Church, 91 Baldwin Street

SOUTHSIDE WEST: every fourth Wednesday of the month, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, MacArthur Elementary School, 1123 Vestal Avenue

EAST SIDE: For information on the East Side Assembly, contact the Department of Planning, Housing & Community Development at 772-7028.

YOUTH: For information on the Youth Assembly, contact City Youth Bureau Director Ana Shaello-Johnson at 772-7028.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS: Neighborhood Business Associations are developing around the city. For information on the Associations, including meeting times and events, call 724-2489.

Year One: A Promising Beginning

More than 1000 residents participated in neighborhood assemblies and workgroup meetings in 2007, and the potential of this civic engagement initiative is tremendous. In just the first year, BNAP scored some great successes, as  residents took the lead and worked with city hall, community, and university partners to organize around some creative neighborhood projects:

• W.E.S.T F.E.S.T
• RIVER CRAWLS
• NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS
• CITYWIDE SPRING CLEANUP
• SOUTHSIDE COMMONS PROJECT
• MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY (video clip)

Year Two: Building Partnerships

even Neighborhood Assemblies were launched 2008, and each has carried out impressive projects thanks to citizen leadership, greater organizational structure, and new partnerships:

• Neighborhood Development Project Fund
• North Side Farmers Market
• North Side Community Center
• First Ward Festival
• First Ward Holiday Tree Lighting and Business Open House
• Renovation of Webster Street Park (South Side East)

As BNAP moves into its third year, this civic engagement initiative is only growing more effective, as residents continue tapping in to address community needs and restore the pride.

UPDATED: March 22, 2010

Additional Contact Information