On Sunday, two friends of mine who had left the city over a year ago returned to visit. Although a lot has happened in the past year, it didn't strike me until their visit that much of downtown's street scape has also changed.

On our perambulations around town, they were shocked to find a half-finished building on the corner of Phila and Henry, where there had been a parking lot; the Hampton Inn was open for business, while the condos behind are rapidly being enclosed; City Hall has new steps that no longer crumple underfoot; It's Confidential and a host of other restaurants have changed hands; a building is being constructed at the South Side Rec., Spring Water Bistro has closed; Empire State College opened its new library on the corner of Union Ave. and Circular St., and Skidmore College continues to plug away on its new music building.

So, a lot has changed here in town, even in just the past 12 months. When you see it all everyday, it can be hard to see, but with the persepective of outsiders, it could be a whole new city.