Pictured, are renderings of what the new Oakdale Commons will look like once complete.
Students at Binghamton University looking for a place to live will soon have another option. A new apartment complex is entering Johnson City, an area just north of the University that is beginning to show signs of economic growth.
This new development comes at a time when Binghamton University is also expanding north with the construction of a brand new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Citing the importance of the University in driving the local economy, Senator Thomas W. Libous has called the planned construction the beginning of a rebirth of the area.
Efforts to attract pharmaceutical companies and further the revitalization are also underway. Construction on the $60 million facility is set to begin in 2016.
The University is a major driver of the region’s economy, employing nearly 5,000 faculty, staff, and student workers in 2013. Binghamton’s expenditures supported an additional 6,000 jobs in Broome and Tioga counties in the same year.
Anticipating future growth and housing needs in the area, a local ownership group plans to create the Oakdale Commons apartments for those wanting close access to campus with the conveniences of living outside the city. Students in the new School of Pharmacy would be equally close to class. Both the main campus and the Pharmacy School will be about a five-minute drive from Oakdale.
The apartments will be built to give students a quieter environment than similar options downtown. The units themselves will contain multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, making it easier to comfortably share the apartment with roommates. Major appliances, including a washer, dryer and television, will come with each unit. A common area inside each suite allows for several activities to take place simultaneously.
Each suite will have a private entrance, and there is no additional fee for parking, utilities, cable or high-speed internet. Residents also have access to around-the-clock emergency maintenance. College student renters will likely appreciate that the apartments come furnished, which can allow for considerable savings on start-up expenses.
Though these new apartments are being designed with a high-end style, they are being priced affordably. The monthly rental fee is less than comparable units in downtown Binghamton. Additionally, its location just outside the busy downtown area in the City of Binghamton allows for the creation of a large fenced-in outdoor recreation space, which all residents of Oakdale Commons will be able to enjoy.
Oakdale Commons is located only a block from both the Oakdale Mall and Wegman’s supermarket. For those preferring public transportation, Oakdale is conveniently located on the Broome County bus line.
Anyone interested in more information about Oakdale Commons can call (6070 343-3131 or visit www.Facebook.com/OakdaleCommons.
