News Flash

Find the Draft of the Annual Report of the City of Elmira MS4 below 

DRAFTMS4 Annual

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mayor Dan Mandell

January 16, 2026 607-737-5644

Mayor Daniel J Mandell, Jr. will be holding a press conference on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 2 PM at Erie Plaza regarding the future development of this property.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: P. Michael Collins

January 16, 2026 607-737-5644

City Manager P. Michael Collins will be holding a Budget Workshop in conjunction with the Council Workshop, located on the 3rd Floor of City Hall at 10:30 AM in the Law Library on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

From: Chief Kristen Thorne

Contact Number: (607) 737-5626

Date: January 13, 2026

Subject: Elmira Downtown Business District

Given the recent shooting which occurred on January 11, 2026, in the Center Town parking garage, the Elmira Police Department would like to mention that beginning at the end of July 2025 an Elmira Police Officer from the 3PM-11PM shift has been assigned to the Downtown Business District. This was done due to various complaints arising from businesses in the area and a couple incidents occurring in that area which brought safety concerns.

Since that time the Elmira Police Department has made a concerted effort to address concerns which include vagrancy in Winser Park and loitering in the Center Town parking garage, larcenies from vehicles in the Center Town parking garage, individuals erratically operating E-Bikes in the area, individuals operating bicycles on the sidewalks and parking violations.

The Elmira Police Department has received positive feedback from businesses in the area due to these efforts. The Elmira Police Department has made these efforts without neglecting other areas within the city.

The Elmira Police Department acknowledges that Officers can not be everywhere 24/7 and even with our best intentions crime does occur. The Elmira Police Department makes sure to note on our press releases issued regarding serious crimes whether the crime appeared or was a random act or not a random act. We aim to notify the public in these instances of this to attempt to calm the public’s concern when it is an incident which was not a random act.

We will continue having an officer assigned to the Downtown Business District during the 3PM-11PM shift. A goal for 2026 would be to also provide extra targeted patrols of this area during the other two shifts dependent on manpower and patrol needs throughout the rest of the city.

Respectfully,

Chief Kristen Thorne

The U.S. News article states that a large reason Elmira New York is #9 on the list is due to the cost of living! 

"The national average home value is $370,489, while the median home value in Elmira is $92,066. Elmira offers a lower value of living compared to similarly sized cities." 

More reasons on why Elmira was ranked #9 can be found here in the article written by U.S. News. 

The City of Elmira has made the top 20 in an analysis by a national publication of the best places to retire in New York state. The Star-Gazette highlighted this report along with more details.

City of Elmira Mayor, Dan Mandell, hosted a press conference on January 6th, 2026 in regards to the Chemung County Press release addressing the City of Elmira's Budget. 

The two links below provide a recording of the press conference (link 1) and the presentation Mayor Mandell gave (link 2) 

Press Conference Video

Press Conference Powerpoint Presentation

Please Reference Chemung County Press Release Below in which Mayor Mandell references during the press conference. 

Elmira Gateway Public Workshop Slide Deck

Elmira Gateway Public Workshop Flyer