Curious Residents Wonder If Celoron Hotel Project Will Pay Dividends

CELORON – Residents in the village are expressing hope and optimism for the future in the midst of a massive hotel project being built along the waterfront. 

The hotel, which is being built by Hart Hotels out of Buffalo, will have 132 rooms, a banquet facility, pools, a bar and cocktail lounge, and  other amenities.

On Monday, we talked to both residents who live in Celoron and some who live outside of it to get their perspective on the project as well as some of the other obstacles they face on a daily basis.

“I think this is a great project for the Village of Celoron,” said Cody Dickerson, who just moved into the village from the Town of Sherman. “The one I am struggling with is finding employment. I have three daughters that I take care of and finding affordable child care is difficult.”

A woman who claimed that she has lived in Jamestown all of her life compared the hotel project to the National Comedy Center which is being built in Jamestown at the corner of 3rd and Washington Streets.

“I am praying against the National Comedy Center,” said Bobbi Thompson. “I think both projects are bad for their communities.”

The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency approved tax incentives for the $30.8 million Chautauqua Harbor Hotel project in Celoron last year.

Village officials say the project will boost the local economy as the land has sat undeveloped for about 50 years.

“It’s going to be a big game changer for us down here in the village. We’ve worked pretty hard since 2009 to work on getting this property, you know, moving,” said Mayor Scott Schrecengost, I-Celoron.

The project is expected to be complete by next summer.