It may be hard to believe, but Binghamton University didn't even have a building in the city of Binghamton until 2007. It was when the school celebrated the opening of the Downtown Center with great fanfare. It's where the school's College of Community and Public Affairs program is located, and five years later, school officials say the place is still thriving.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y.--- "On day one there were nails, hammers dropping from up there. I think it's inevitable that deans have sleepless nights when you consider the size of the move and importance of the move. We've had bumps but but in large a great experience," reflected Patricia Ingraham, dean of the College of Community and Public Affairs.

It wasn't until the summer of 2007 that BU finally established a presence in the city.
A picture perfect 74,400 foot facility that houses 11 state-of the art classrooms. The school celebrated the Downtown Center's fifth anniversary Thursday, touting the opportunities it has help provide the more than 1,000 students who take classes here.

"All of our students are in programs that emphasize community outreach. They are right at the heart of where the activities they study, and the activities they wish to participate in, are taking place," said Ingraham.

The center is a symbol that not only celebrates the community's future, but its past as well.
An archaeological dig done before the building was built uncovered more than a hundred-thousand native american and European artifacts, some over 5,000 years old.

"We know that the pottery here is about 1000-1200 A.D. This is a peso, that was used for grinding corn into meal. Anything in the floor of the atrium that is in the color green is the actual location, size and shape of a feature we found from the historic period. So there are walls here, foundations to houses in the floor," said Nina Versaggi, who helped coordinate and conduct the excavation.

Analysis on some of the artifacts are still taking place. While archaeologists continue to learn more about the past the College of Community and Public Affairs is looking toward the future. The number of students has steadily increased, and Ingraham expects to see continued growth in the coming years.

Also located in the facility is a Broome Community College office, conference rooms, a library, and a student lounge.