Today we confirmed a property damaged in a 2022 fire on the city’s southside is slated for demolition. A fence now surrounds a former wax store at 201 E Miller Street, at the corner of Erie Street. The property was left in disrepair, exposed to the elements and unsecured from entry.
A code violation active since March 13, 2024, said “Due to a structure fire on 04/04/22 the building is found to be unsafe and needs to be demolished or repaired.” The city of Elmira’s “Fight on Blight” list showed “no data” for the owner’s name but listed an address in Elmira.
New York State says the “Land Bank Program permits municipalities to apply for and create land banks in their communities. Land banks are not-for-profit corporations created to take control of, and redevelop, vacant or abandoned properties to better serve the public interest.”
The minutes from a meeting of the Chemung County Landbank on June 26th show:
201 East Miller Street: This property is a demo due to a fire. Since the building is under the Land Bank’s insurance, fencing will be put up around property for safety once final approval by the Legislature is received. LBI funds will be used for acquisition, predevelopment and demolition costs.
At a meeting of the Chemung County Land Bank on August 21st, a member of the land bank said the goal was to demolish 201 East Miller Street as soon as possible, hopefully before the winter. The property first has to go through an environmental review. Then the land bank will go through a bidding process with demolition companies.
In a phone call with 18 News, Thomas Sweet, the Chairman of the Chemung County Land Bank, confirmed the cost of demolition will be paid for with funds from New York State.
Status of Erie Plaza
826 Erie St.
18 News is also working to find out what will happen to the former Erie Plaza, just a block away from 201 East Miller.
An active code violation at 826 Erie Street says, “Building is very unsafe and is in disrepair, partially collapsed.” The violation has been active since April 18, 2023. The former shopping plaza has been vacant for nearly 20 years.
The “Fight on Blight” list says the owner is “Tasty Alimentos, LLC” with an address in Niagara Falls. 18 News has made multiple attempts to contact the owner, Jawed Syed, to ask for an update on his plans for the property. So far, our calls have not been returned.
The Erie Plaza is in Elmira’s Fifth District, which is represented by councilmember Jackie Wilson . 18 News reached out to Wilson on Friday to ask if she could share an update on the future of the plaza. So far, we have not heard back.
Unsafe property demolished by city of Elmira at 909 Davis St. 909 Davis St. before demolition.
Other demolition projects by the Chemung County Land Bank include:
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