Albany Mayor Applyrs Addresses Perceptions, Outlines Initiatives in State of the City Speech

Applyrs vows to "turn the lights back on" in Albany and make the city more engaging for residents.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:23am

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In her first State of the City address, Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs pushed back on persistent negative perceptions of the city, vowing to "turn the lights back on" and make Albany a more engaging place to live. Applyrs outlined initiatives focused on public safety, housing, and community events, including plans to put a "positive spin" on the former Kegs & Eggs celebration on St. Patrick's Day.

Why it matters

As a new mayor, Applyrs is seeking to change the narrative around Albany and address key issues like public safety, housing, and community engagement. Her speech reflects an effort to reframe the city's image and priorities, which could have significant impacts on residents' quality of life and the city's overall trajectory.

The details

In her speech, Applyrs likened herself to a DJ "playing records that reflect the voices of the people" and pushed back on the "narrative that's shaped by people who don't live here." She noted the post-pandemic drop in crime but also acknowledged the police department's staffing shortage. On housing, Applyrs said the city remains in a crisis and hinted at rethinking her position on inclusionary zoning. She also touted initiatives like her ambassador program and a collaboration with Albany County to address homelessness. Applyrs placed a strong emphasis on making Albany more "fun," including plans to put a "positive spin" on the former Kegs & Eggs celebration on St. Patrick's Day.

  • Mayor Applyrs delivered her first State of the City address on January 28, 2026.
  • The Kegs & Eggs celebration that Applyrs referenced typically occurred on St. Patrick's Day.

The players

Dorcey Applyrs

The mayor of Albany, New York, who delivered the State of the City address.

Brendan Cox

The police chief of Albany, whom Applyrs said is key to combating the department's staffing shortage.

Lori Kochanski

A crisis caseworker with the Albany Police Department's Community Advocacy Response team, which responds to non-violent mental health calls.

Sean Millington

A mayoral fellow whose portfolio includes nightlife issues and relations between the city and the University at Albany.

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What they’re saying

“We show up, we listen, we pay attention, we figure out what the needs are, and then we go through our Rolodex in our brain to connect (people in crisis) to resources in this very resource-rich city.”

— Lori Kochanski, Crisis caseworker, Albany Police Department

“Good luck finding something to do in Albany.”

— Rebecca Lobo, Basketball commentator

What’s next

Applyrs plans to send a letter to the Albany Common Council "in the very near future" regarding progress and conversations on the city's path forward with inclusionary zoning.

The takeaway

Mayor Applyrs is working to reframe the narrative around Albany, focusing on public safety, housing, and community engagement initiatives. Her efforts to make the city more "fun" and address long-standing perceptions could have a significant impact on residents' quality of life and the city's overall trajectory.