It needs to be known that the Bordonaro family wanted to donate the theater to the City of Olean. They were assured by then Mayor John Ash that the city would indeed take the building. The Bordonaros closed the theater and vacated the building. When the city council was deadlocked on the approval vote, Mayor Ash cast the deciding vote, voting against the measure. When the Bordonaros were approached by Benderson Developement to purchase a block of family owned properties which included the theater building, the Bordonaros accepted the sale offer. It was the failure of the city and the mayor which precipitated the sale and demolishing of the Palace Theater.
It needs to be known that the Bordonaro family wanted to donate the theater to the City of Olean. They were assured by then Mayor John Ash that the city would indeed take the building. The Bordonaros closed the theater and vacated the building. When the city council was deadlocked on the approval vote, Mayor Ash cast the deciding vote, voting against the measure. When the Bordonaros were approached by Benderson Developement to purchase a block of family owned properties which included the theater building, the Bordonaros accepted the sale offer. It was the failure of the city and the mayor which precipitated the sale and demolishing of the Palace Theater.