From Husks to Homes: Development in the Alleghenies ‘Field Of Dreams’

Continued demand is prompting Olean Manor Inc. to undertake a nearly $10 million expansion of its “Field of Dreams” senior housing complex in the Cattaraugus County town of Allegany.

The expansion, due to start this fall, will see Olean Manor add 40 more cottage-style residences - a move that will increase the number of senior living cottages on its campus by 364 percent.

Plans call for the 40 cottages to join with 11 existing cottages already on the campus. Field of Dreams also has a 140-bed senior living building as its anchor. The project carries a $9.81 million development price tag.

Field of Dreams is one of the largest senior living complexes in Cattaraugus County.

“What they are doing is a huge investment and a huge commitment,” said Corey Wiktor, County of Cattaraugus Industrial Development Agency executive director. The CCIDA is working on a series of tax breaks to help finance the project. Wiktor said there is a growing need for what he calls “transitional” housing opportunities for senior citizens.

“Projects like this allow people to stay in the county, or, in some cases move back to the county,” Wiktor said. “It touches a lot of economic development factors.”

Field of Dreams is located near Olean and St. Bonaventure University.
The first units should be move-in ready by next summer.