The City of Olean has completed its Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) projects, according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. The final projects, the South Union Street Gateway Corridor and Walkable Olean Phase III East State Street Streetscape Improvement, mark the end of nine public and private projects funded through the state’s DRI program.
Governor Hochul said, “The completion of Olean’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative shows how targeted investments and community-driven collaboration can transform a downtown. By completing these projects, the city has built a downtown that is vibrant, accessible and full of possibility, setting an example for other communities across New York State.”
The East State Street project included new crosswalks, bump-outs at crossings, a landscaped median near the Olean Municipal Building, and a traffic circle at Barry Street. A new pedestrian and bicycle path now connects downtown and Lincoln Park with the Allegany River Valley Trail, Bradner Stadium, and War Veteran’s Park.
On South Union Street, improvements included a traffic circle at Green Street, bump-outs at crossings, and an extension of the pedestrian and bicycle path from Lincoln Park to Franchot Park. This expansion improves connections between neighborhoods, shopping areas, and recreation sites.
These efforts build on previous streetscape improvements along North Union Street, where traffic lanes were replaced with bike lanes and rain gardens, traffic circles and a landscaped median were installed, crosswalks were added or improved, wayfinding signage was introduced, and new seating areas were created, including two outdoor gas firepits.
Olean was selected as the Western New York DRI winner in 2017 during the initiative’s second round. Other cities in the region that have received DRI funding include Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, North Tonawanda, Dunkirk, Tonawanda, and Cattaraugus.
