BY: Rick Miller, OLEAN STAR
CATTARAUGUS — A new way to enjoy the Cattaraugus County scenery will take off soon from the Village of Cattaraugus.
The Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency has agreed to a license with Revolution Rail to use a portion of the IDA-owned New York and Lake Erie Railroad for a rail bike excursion business.
Tree-clearing on a portion of the unused rail line north of Cattaraugus is expected to start this week. It will cost up to $260,000 to open the line and make it ready for Revolution Rail’s to begin operations this fall.
The Cattaraugus County Legislature agreed in May to a reimbursement grant with the IDA $120,000 to assist with costs for the project.
It will be the first commercial rail bike operation in Western New York, said IDA executive director Coey Wiktor.
The IDA has hired Scott Symans as the contractor to complete the railway work. The work will be done under an emergency procurement to avoid delays that would endanger the economic development opportunity.
Supporters of the Revolution Rail operation in Cattaraugus and the operators envision 50,000 visitors a year to the rail bike operation, according to a market study.
The opportunity has also sparked other development in the village including proposed extension of the Pat McGee Trail. It can be a catalyst for these projects including renovating the Crawford House, owned by Historic Cattaraugus, into a boutique hotel.
The village is preparing an application for a grant from NY Forward for other development projects as well.
Revolution Rail has other rail bike operations in New York state including North Creek near the Hudson River, Lake George and Saratoga. They also operate in New Jersey, Maine and Colorado.
Revolution Rail agreed to a seven-year license to utilize the New York and Lake Erie track. The license fee is $10,000 a year, increasing by $2,500 each year.
“We’re spending up to $140,000” to get the project started, said IDA chairman Thomas Buffamante.
“We can help Cattaraugus get rolling,” said IDA member Brent Driscoll.
