Latest on the baseball house.....

[OL2]

Mr. Grap must be a real sugardaddy...not only buying junior a house but renovating it as well so the kid can live away from all the distractions of campus life with his home boys. I applaud the residents of 26th street who are up in arms over the potential influx of college kids. Not that the residence will become an "animal house" or anything close but if an out of towner moved to create a residence for a dozen plus college kids on my street, I'd raise hell too. Property values, resale potential and numerous other things are thrown into question. In many instances, the equity that residents have in their homes is what they're hoping will keep them solvent in later years...why put it at risk? Grap is displaying typical out of town arrogance and disregard for the community...he'll be out of the picture in a very few years after having left his mark. Screw the fire chief too and three cheers for the mayor. Fight on 26th Streeters...the community is 100% behind you as you fight Mr. Money and sonny boy.

[FriendsofAN44]

2 doors up from the nursing home is a vacant house that recently went on the market - a nice 1 1/2 story with garage - for about $75,000. The owner had two very interested parties that both backed out when they heard about the potential baseball thing.

They haven't even moved in yet and the repercussions are already starting.

And just to add something to this quote by JS:

"You can applaud Mayor Quinlan's decision all you want, but case law is pretty clear on this subject and legal decisions determining the meaning of "single-family housing" have consistently been in the favor of student housing. There is no "loophole"; several individuals living in a household sharing communal activities and acting as a family are considered a "single family" for zoning purposes. The University cannot stop students from living off campus if they are upperclassmen, and any suggestion that they should do otherwise is assinine. I'm sorry, but the chances of this house garnering bad publicity for the University are slim to none. You are overreacting, and unfortunately you aren't the only one. These students should not be treated any differently just because they play a sport; accordingly, if they are upperclassmen they can live off campus, end of story."........

I know of at least one other house that a parent bought in Olean a couple of years ago for his kid and some friends to use for housing. It is in the historic district of N. 1st. to N. 4th. Streets. Got it for a song (less than $40,000 I believe) fixed it up a little, and saved a ton of money compared to on-campus housing costs. Will probably sell it after his kid graduates and make a tidy profit. Smart move on his part, and I have never heard of any problems associated with this house.

So there has been a precedent set regarding the zoning laws and single-family residences, Bona students, etc; and there may be others around Olean that I don't know of.

That being said, and even though I am an avid baseball booster, I still have to say that Mr. Grap's idea is not a good one, and there are too many potential problems that could arise from this. There HAVE to be alternatives in Allegany that he could get for FAR LESS cost, that would still house the 8-10 kids he is talking about.

[oleander]

Mr. Grap, whether or not he is buying a place for his son, just happens to be a real estate developer from out of town investing in our area. He will be using local contractors, and will be contributing to the tax revenue for the city. I welcome any investor into our area, as incase you haven't noticed, we seriously lack in this area.

As for S. 26th St., they complain about the noise from K-mart, Tops and all the other Commercial development in the area. They complain about the traffic on State St., But then they tell you how great and quiet thier neighborhood is? half of the residents on the street have moved in after all the commercial development in the area. And it will only get worst, Developers have been looking into that area more and more in the past 2 years and it will only be a matter of time before in swallows 26th street up. I mean the street is in the center of the largest commercial district from Jamestown to Elmira-Corning.

This housing project for the baseball team is with in the zoning parameters for the area, thats that, nothing else should be said. I can't tell the people down the street from me in the apartment house to move because they make too much noise yelling all night. All i can do is report it to the proper authorities. Mr. Grap is obviously a smart business man and with the publicity this is getting and the microscope the players living there will be under, im sure he has everything under control. Besides, what college kid is going to party on a street where police officers live?

If they wanted to live on my street i welcome them, as good neighbors should, and not judge then by the actions of fellow students. im ashamed of the residents of 26th st.

[oleander]

Im Glad Mr. Grap found a home in Olean for the baseball team, its always nice to see outsiders putting money into our community.