Almost post-COVID report from Bonas and Olean

[ceharv]

I am pleased to report that coming out of the recent dark times, Bonas and Olean both appear to have survived the pandemic pretty
well, of course with one major and tragic exception. A bunch of Class of ‘75 members had made reservations at the Old Library B & B for our reunion in 2020, moved them to 2021 when the 2020 reunion was postponed. But when that was postponed we thought we’d keep the reservations and see how things were in June, and with recent improvements we all met up this past weekend. Bona and it’s golf course are green and lush (and the new clubhouse is a major upgrade). Ther previously discussed changes in front of Dev and to the university’s sign are well underway. The RC was open except for the arena, but peaking through the windows evidence of progress can be seen.
The Franciscans, evidenced by Fathers Dan Riley and Jim Vacco, look to be doing fine, as both are as exuberant and upbeat as ever.
Regarding the region, I don’t know how the employment conditions are, but drives on State street through Allegheny show few changes. Driving on State and on Union shows Olean to maybe even be thriving. There are new shops and restaurants (Union Whiskey, e.g.) and with the exception of those resulting from the Manny Hanny renovation, there are few if any boarded up storefronts in town. The grant money provided for upgrades to the Old Library look to have been well spent as the outside and rooms are looking very nice. The staff is as friendly and helpful as ever. And the restaurant, even without the eleven of us on Friday night was busy both Friday and Saturday nights. And Tasta pizza has not forgotten how to make pizza and the Beef and Barrell still makes great Beef on Weck sandwiches.
So in short I was positively impressed with how both the school and the region have survived the sh#&storm of COVID, of course with that one awful exception.

[towniegrad]

Since I grew up in olean , the downtown looks a little different to me .Most of the retail and the physical landscape are gone.The new road layouts look modern,but there are few shoppers and little pedestrian activity.
Dresser has been the major employer in olean for decades ,and is closing its manufacturing facility .Some workers will probably transfer to other facilities out of the olean area.
The city’s population has been declining since the sixties.
There is sense of bustle but too much of it is back and forth to Walmart.
Hopefully, the area can reverse its long decline..

[thesocalkid]

ceharv and townigrad your posts have opened the door for this question to the Bandwagon faithful, " what is the future of Olean and the Greater Ruraltropolous? "

Note: if you would like, you can send me your response in messages and they will be private.

[efsboca]

Jun 13, 2021 13:08:36 GMT -5 towniegrad said:

Since I grew up in olean , the downtown looks a little different to me .Most of the retail and the physical landscape are gone.The new road layouts look modern,but there are few shoppers and little pedestrian activity.
Dresser has been the major employer in olean for decades ,and is closing its manufacturing facility .Some workers will probably transfer to other facilities out of the olean area.
The city’s population has been declining since the sixties.
There is sense of bustle but too much of it is back and forth to Walmart.
Hopefully, the area can reverse its long decline..

It won’t without new industry. They still need an airport where small jets and transports can fly in. They need support politically and they have not received it in decades. The cost of living is so good there, but service industries need someone to serve.

[towniegrad]

Oth :today
Siemens has listed the dresser rand site for sale at 7.5 million,
The county industrial development agency reports they have received some interest...

[skeller6]

NYS and Catt County need to work together to get another manufacturer into the Dresser plant site and quickly too. This site has many advantages including rail head, and easy access to the I86, cheap housing costs, and a highly trained work force.
Its a really great community, and deserves better than to be screwed by a large multi national corporation like Siemens. Siemens already closed a Wellsville plant too, so their track record is just lousy.
Time for a new start with a better company.