By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — A Mission Complete Celebration and ribbon cutting for the Olean Downtown Revitalization Initiative was held at the Municipal Building Plaza.
About 50 people attending the ceremony heard remarks from Mayor Bill Aiello, Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley, Regional Empire State Development Director Karen Urtz and former WNY Regional Economic Development Council co-chair Jeff Belt, who is president of Sol-Epoxy.
The original $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative to help revitalize and transform North Union Street has triggered recent similar efforts on East State and South Union streets, Aiello told the guests. Finishing touches are nearly complete on both the road reconstruction projects.
Aiello gave credit to the initial North Union Street DRI to former Mayor Linda Witte, who preceded him in office. Witte was unable to attend the ceremony.
Former mayor John Ash was among the attendees, as was Della Moore, director of the African American Cultural Center, another successful DRI project.
“I would like to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul for her confidence in our community and to the Olean Common Council for seizing to provide necessary capital for the public projects,” Aiello said. “It allowed us to both stop the deterioration and invest in the future.”
The grant helped rejuvenate Oak Hill Park and restore the former Manny Hanny Building that sat vacant at the center of the city for decades.
“I love coming to small towns like this,” said Mosley, who heads the Department of State that helps administer the DRI grants. “It’s always good to come back to towns like this, to bring good news.”
Olean, he said, has “a charming small town appeal, while also providing the amenities of a big city.” The secretary added: “We’re here to say mission accomplished, mission complete. With today’s ribbon cutting, we are celebrating the completion of all the Downtown Revitalization Initiative programs.”
The DRI plan “reimagines the city’s core as a dynamic destination where people want to live, work and gather,” Mosley said. “With the completion of the final streetscape projects that are making Olean more walkable, this community has completed all nine DRI projects.”
Urtz, the WYN Empire Development director, said members of the local planning committee are the ones “that really set the stage for success,” She said the DRI “is a powerful example of how strategic investments can transform a community.” She also praised Moore’s commitment to transforming one of the city’s oldest buildings into the African American Cultural Center with the help of the DRI.
“These are not just projects, They are proof that when we work together, we can turn vision into reality. The DRI has energized the city, and while we’re saying mission complete today, I’m expecting many sequels, just like the Mission Impossible movies.” She predicted “continued investment and continued momentum here in Olean,” and congratulated Aiello, Community Development Director Keri Kerper, the secretary of state and local partners and the community.
Belt, who in addition to being CEO of Sol-Epoxy, is a downtown Olean investor as well. He thanked Gov. Hochul, who as lieutenant governor, was chairperson of all regional economic development councils. She always took the time to listen intently in small towns and cities and inquire about our priorities. And then she brought the resources, the investment that we needed to act.”
Belt thanked the city for their leadership with a shout out to Kerper, “who has been a driving wheel of this progress for 15 years.”
He closed by thanking “the good people of Olean. You really embody the best traditions of small town America, but what I’m thanking you for is your courage. It takes a lot to tear up your street and put in roundabouts and medians andto risk your central park for a complete transformation. It’s been great!”
City and state officials lined up for a photo of the ribbon cutting with North Union Street as the backdrop. Aiello and Mosley wielded the scissors as everyone clapped as the ribbon dropped to the sidewalk.
Before the mayor led state officials on a tour of North Union Street, Belt spoke with the Olean Star about whether the completed DRI lived up to his expectations. “Absolutely,” he replied. One thing he wanted the DRI to accomplish was to make the streets safer. “Fifteen years ago, I was afraid to cross North Union Street. Now injury accidents are down 80%.”
The streets projects have made the city much more walkable. At the same time, the median and gardens make the city attractive — a place where people want to come and live and shop and be entertained. The investment in Lincoln Park and Oak Hill Park have also paid dividends.
“As a community, we need to get the word out on our success here,” Belt said. “We need to market the community.”
The opportunity that will come with the reconstruction of West State Street from Union to St. Bonaventure University cannot be discounted, Belt said. The $25 million project will not only reconstruct infrastructure below the street, but the street itself.
Belt said Olean Business Development Corp. is supporting entrepreneurs and sending out a message “to buy local and buy downtown.” He added: “I think we’ve turned the corner.”
