Letter to the Editor

IBM didn’t define us —and it certainly didn’t kill us. Look at all the possibilities, we have for a bright future in Endicott

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal a few days ago. It painted our area as dismal to potential investors since IBM left. This has hindered our area for a long time. But as Bob Joseph pointed out, we missed an opportunity for some good PR, in a well known and widely publicized media, as to what some are doing about this.

We need companies to consider our Village for their businesses. Hopefully, this reporter will return and talk to the site manager of the Industrial campus, and some of the big companies. Especially with all the expansion at BAE. This campus is directly connected to the Village’s economic future, and we depend on it.

I have always supported our Industrial campus. That is why some of us worked so hard to support the campus, and get a new owner to purchase the former IBM campus. Phoenix has made a vast improvement in the appearance of these buildings, and is attracting some interest.

There is movement at our Industrial campus. The Phoenix site manager should be making an announcement of a new company here soon.

When the demolition site is totally cleaned up, the company that is planning on building there should also be in a position to make their plans public.

The Phoenix site manager has been in talks with many other companies to start up businesses here. When full, the property can be reassessed.

But there are obstacles in the way. The lack of housing, available electric, daycare, and the rundown look of the Village, is hampering new companies from coming to Endicott.

Phoenix considered rezoning the school and McKinley buildings for apartments. But a company expressed interest in the McKinley for manufacturing, so this is on hold for now. Apartment projects have been started in surrounding areas. We still need single family homes.

Phoenix is working with NYSEG regarding an electric sub station. This will take time to build.

At the former Methodist church, we are starting affordable daycare in the Sunday School rooms. There are two new daycare centers in the area, but they are run by big companies and are expensive. Working with the Family Enrichment Network and Social Services, we hope to assist people with the cost of daycare so they can afford to go back to work! And we are located only a half block from the Industrial campus.

Endicott Proud’s beautification committee helps with cleanup, with assistance from the Village Street Department. We can all help keep our own area neat and clean. But deserted and boarded up properties look bad. The Village needs to work with the Landbank to see if some of these buildings can be saved and re sold. This will also hep with our Village property tax base.

Washington Avenue looks nice with new blacktop, sidewalks, etc. Yet there are many empty buildings. $600,000 was set aside from the revitalization grant to upgrade properties on the Avenue. I offered an 80/20 match to the property owners because, with all the restrictions to do business with the state, it is expensive to accept a grant. Few owners took advantage of this grant. In the beginning, owners could use the money on roofs. But, that changed. The owners wanted to start with their roofs to protect other work they will do. Example: Frank Petreli’s widow is now paying for the barber shop roof to be done, without any help from the state.

The Village Police Department secured cameras for the Avenue and parking lots. When installed, people may feel safer to go to the Avenue.

A few years ago I asked people to submit ideas of what they wanted on the Avenue. I received a lot of ideas. But it has proved difficult to convince businesses to come here until the customer base improves.

Once we get more companies to come to the Industrial campus, and bring workers to support businesses on the Avenue, we should see more movement with empty buildings on the Avenue.

We need reasons for people to come to Endicott. We do enjoy EPAC and the Cider Mill. The owner of the former Methodist Church on McKinley Avenue is turning this property into a destination. He has eight artists on the third floor, with an art gallery for a dozen more. This property is involved with the Art walk in September. Everyone is invited to come see the improvements.

Some other ideas discussed were a music room, coffee shop, dinner theater, and renting out the kitchen. EPAC and the Cider Mill have approached the owner to use the sanctuary for events. The new owner has spent a lot of time and money with repairs, painting, upgrading electric, etc. The landscape looks great, especially for people entering the Village by route 26.

Endicott is looking forward to a bright future. We need to get this word out!

written by: Linda Jackson /Former Endicott Mayor