Ribbon Cutting for the Allegheny River Valley Trail Connector Announced

July 13, 2023—Olean—William J. Aiello, Mayor of the City of Olean, is pleased to announce that the Ribbon Cutting for the Allegheny River Valley Trail (AVRT) Connector is scheduled for July 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. on site. The Connector starts on North 12th Street near Wayne Street and runs to the former trailhead at the end of North 13th Street.

The Olean Urban Renewal Agency (OURA), a public-benefit-corporation, operating independently of the City of Olean, held the connector property in their portfolio. Following the sale of the First National Building to Savarino Companies in November of 2020, OURA used their resources to extend the trail and build a welcoming archway. The OURA will donate the new section to the Trail Network in the near future.

“The Allegheny River Valley Trail, running through the City and Town of Olean, Allegany and St. Bonaventure University is a significant asset to our communities,” said Mayor Aiello. “I am thrilled that the Agency established and formalized a new trailhead on North 12th Street. The new section is getting plenty of use and alleviates the need to use the Country Fair parking lot to access the trail. It is an excellent use of the property.”

“The tenacity and perseverance of Joe Higgins and his late wife Cecily provided the Olean area over six miles of trail. I am pleased that the OURA was able to use Agency resources to add to it. I thank Mayor Aiello, OURA Chief Executive Officer Keri Kerper, Attorney Jack Hart, as well as Kathy Monroe and Tiffany Taylor for facilitating this project and transfer,” said Earl McElfresh, Olean Urban Renewal Agency Chairman.

The public is invited to attend the event.