As we look ahead for the coming summer 2018, we will finish the analysis of our community survey data, case studies, and interviews, which will be published in a policy brief on the challenges of disaster recovery and strategies for community and riverfront development! Our policy brief will focus on our findings in Binghamton, along with findings from other rust belt cities and areas around the world. We will analyze the key components, challenges, and successes of waterfront development and community revitalization strategies in other areas as a way to better inform our efforts in Binghamton.
 
We are also planning to hold a follow-up community meeting, where we will present our data analysis to community members and hold a discussion where attendees can share their thoughts on the data-analysis and the ways we can use this information moving forward. We hope to see you all there! 
Let us know if you would be interested!

Following the presentation, community members worked in focus groups to discuss next steps and ideas for shaping the future of Binghamton. Our main points of discussion included:

1. What priorities do you have for the river/riverfront development? What is most important?
2. What are Binghamton's strengths that we can build on?
3. What would you like to see happen next?
4. How would you like to be involved?

Some of the most common responses to the priorities question included improving access to the rivers, more programming and activities, and more economic development along the rivers. For question two, community members felt we could build upon the strong sense of community, natural beauty, and affordability of Binghamton. For questions three and four, community members said they would like to help create more parks along the rivers, a whitewater park at Rockbottom Dam, more stores along the waterfront with better advertising, and a "Friends of the River Trails" group.