The start of the fall semester is just a few weeks away. Many college students will be moving into Twin River Commons. The newest downtown student housing complex officially opened Thursday. Our Melissa Kakareka was there for the celebration.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It's a project that the Newman Development Group and the local community began envisioning several years ago. Now, that vision is officially a reality.

"We feel great. It’s a great day for Binghamton, a great day for Twin Rivers and we're very, very excited," said Marc Newman of the Newman Development Group.

Binghamton leaders and community members gathered Thursday for a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration at the Twin River Commons student housing complex.

It will provide living accommodations for 371 students in 127 apartments. The rooms range from one person studios to four bedroom apartments and include a number of amenities. Leasing at Twin River Commons is almost 100 percent complete.

City officials are excited about the impact all of those students will have when they move into these rooms.

"All these students are going to be living here now, participating in our economy and we hope all the synergy of bringing all these students here, all the other things that are happening with the university, we are going to have a lot students who will want to stay here for many years to come," said Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan.

"It's a symbol of progress, even in the midst of some natural disasters, it symbolizes the commitment our community partners have to moving the community forward," said Binghamton City Council member Lea Webb.

But its not just local leaders who are excited. Students from University and BCC are also celebrating.

"We already have some residents living here and many, many more starting August 15 and I can tell you the students that already live here are delighted, they love it and that makes us feel happy," said Newman.

Now all that's left is for the rest of those students to move in.