Breakdown of Redwood City's State of the City Address

On March 7th, Redwood City Council presented the 2016 State of the City Address, themed "Looking Forward".  In an attempt to increase community inclusion/involvement, Mayor John Seybert made the event open to the public and hosted it at the Council Chambers of City Hall.  The meeting put forth the city's priorities for the year, which were categorized under: Community for All Ages, Government Operations, Public Safety, Community Building and Communication, Economic Development, and Transportation.

Here is a video of the event in it's entirety:

In case you don't feel like sitting through the whole 48 minute video, here's a quick breakdown of the priorities listed under each category:

Community for All Ages:

-expand the Jardin de Ninos Park on Middlefield
-upgrade/restore features at Linden Park, Dolphin Park, Marlin Park and Shorebird Tennis Courts
-finalize plans for a community garden at the corner of Maple and Lathrop (across from the Franklin Street Apartments)
-launch the Roselli Garden place space planning project
-expand the WiderCircle wellness program (aimed at strengthening connections between the older adults in the community)
-finalize plans with the YMCA to upgrade the Veterans Memorial Senior Center at Red Morton
-expand early childhood learning centers to every library
-transform the under-utilized park next to the main library into a play area
-increase the Fair Oaks library by 20%, as well as add a dedicated teen area

Government Operations:

-Complete the Red Morton Community Center Solar Project: projected to save the city $327,000 over 10 years
-expand the library’s new portable electronic device program by circulating iPads for home check out at the Fair Oaks library
-launch the 50/50 program:a cost-sharing program that will aim to repair the city's sidewalks

Public Safety:

-expand the police department community outreach programs (see Coffee with Cops)
-deploy a new downtown services police unit
-establish bicycle patrol for special events
-develop emergency shelter training workshops
-implement the Fire Safety First Sprinkler Retrofit Program

Community Building & Communication

-expand the public arts program (see current projects)
-complete a study to identify and assess potential future child-care facility sites to serve both businesses and residents
-foster greater community input through recruiting more City Boards, Commission, and Committee members
-expand ways the public can participate in major policy issues both in person and online

Economic Development & Transportation:

-complete a city-owned land analysis to explore affordable housing & other opportunities
-start a study on small business preservation
-ordinance to preserve and encourage retail on Main Street
-upgrade parking options
-begin the environmental review for the 101/84 interchange improvement project - work towards improving the flow of traffic
-start construction on the Middlefield Utility Undergrounding project
-complete a streetcar study to establish a streetcar line on the Broadway corridor/add more improvements at the Redwood City Transit Center