Very interesting, Lew; really makes me want to know what's up above! Any chance you can pull just a little more detail out of the shadows at the bottom?
It's an interesting shot. But the light bulb at top just overwhelms the rest which is too dark. Also, what is that thing in from at the bottom right that's out of focus?
Here's some cropping and lightening. But the angle could be better. Maybe if you had moved around a little.
Other than photos not ok to edit, I like it better all dark and mysterious. That's how I remember a basement in an old house as a kid and I've liked my basements dark and creepy ever since. From what I can see, I bet there's a lot of cool stuff in that basement.