Binghamton, Buffalo hear the state of their cities

"People are going to be glad to hear this," [Seneca-Babcock Community Block Club president) Arthur Robinson said. "This will keep more money in people's pockets." A former city lawmaker who is now a prominent banker also praised the planned tax freeze. "The worst enemy of development in any community is an increase in taxes, and this is a good step in the right direction," said David P. Rutecki, an administrative vice president at M&T Bank and former Council member.

To make sure the city and its businesses benefit from the potential spending power of more than 670 college students living downtown, Ryan said he has created a new commission to look at how the city can help fuel downtown growth. "We're going to come out on the other side," Ryan said after his hour-long speech. "(Economic growth) is the thing that is going to get us there." Ryan's speech was upbeat and pragmatic -- focusing on development issues and economic growth. That's in contrast to many of his previous "State of the City" speeches, which have put more emphasis on progressive issues, like "green" initiatives and development of groceries in poor neighborhoods.

"The money is huge, but so is the recognition of Binghamton as an innovator in neighborhood improvement," said David Sloan Wilson, a Binghamton University faculty member and director of the Binghamton Neighborhood Project. The project calls for neighborhood groups to develop plans to turn neglected urban spaces into small parks. Five such efforts are under way in Binghamton, Wilson said.