Mayor Rex Richardson

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson delivered his State of the City Address, “Celebrating the Roots, Rhythm, and Community of Long Beach,” with a special call to action to support Los Angeles County wildfire victims and evacuees. By the end of his remarks, Mayor Richardson announced the donation drive raised $569,000 to support wildfire relief efforts. The address also provided updates on the city’s key priorities, including housing, infrastructure projects, city services, and economic development.

Mayor Richardson highlighted significant progress in housing production, addressing the city’s challenges with affordability and homelessness. Long Beach has achieved a 25% increase in housing starts and completed over 1,000 new housing units in 2024, a record for the city. Approximately 2,500 units are currently under construction, representing $800 million in investments in progress. The city is also prioritizing support for seniors, one of the most housing-insecure populations, with plans for new subsidy programs and expanded affordable housing.

To bolster public safety, the city is expanding its police and fire academies, doubling the number of firefighter recruits, and opening a new Long Beach Police Academy Training Center. Long Beach has also streamlined its emergency response systems, launching a real-time information hub for residents and developing a call center for emergencies.

Long Beach is making substantial investments under its Elevate 28 Capital Improvement Plan. Projects include enhancements to streets, sidewalks, parks, and public spaces to ensure equitable access to quality neighborhood infrastructure. Key achievements include the completion of the Promenade in downtown Long Beach and the reopening of the iconic Breakers Hotel. Additional plans include the development of the Long Beach Bowl outdoor amphitheater and the modernization of the Long Beach Arena through private-public partnerships.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.