For years, aging infrastructure, confusing traffic flow and poor pedestrian access kept Olean's South Union Street corridor out of sync with the city's ambitions. In response, local leaders launched an effort to reimagine the area as a true gateway that welcomes visitors, supports local businesses and connects key destinations safely and seamlessly.
Completed
2025
Services
Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering
Key Contact
Matthew Smullen
Fully funded through New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), the City enlisted our Infrastructure Practice team out of our Olean office to revamp the corridor as a multimodal, people-first arrival experience.
A modern roundabout now defines the southern approach, calming traffic and signaling entry into downtown. New bumpouts, pedestrian islands and enhanced crossings augment navigation and visibility, making it simpler to move through the area on foot or by bike.
Previously informal parking areas that encroached on sidewalks were replaced with intentional on-street parking, giving businesses the access they depend on while restoring right-of-way to pedestrians. Sidewalks and trails now knit together Lincoln Park, Franchot Park and the Allegany River, forming a cohesive network of recreational and commercial spaces that bolster daily life and economic activity.
Environmental stewardship is woven throughout. Rain gardens and stormwater treatments such as catch basins and field inlets expand Olean’s green infrastructure system, filtering runoff while adding texture and color to the landscape.
A coordinated utility upgrade eliminated an obsolete water main and shifted service to a contemporary line, boosting reliability without the cost or delay of a separate capital project. New tree plantings more than replaced those removed, advancing the city's long-term environmental goals.
Delivering the project required an uncommon level of cooperation. Joining forces with the City of Olean, the New York State Department of Transportation and the Department of State, our team spearheaded agile problem-solving across all agencies.
The final initiative in Olean's DRI journey, the revitalized South Union Street represents the beginning of a new chapter. As a memorable, functional and future-ready entrance to downtown, it embodies a community investing boldly in its identity and shaping a more prosperous Olean for generations to come.
