Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson delivered her 2025 State of the City address on Tuesday, Jan. 30, emphasizing the city's economic growth, technological innovation, and commitment to public safety.
"Our time is now," Lock Dawson declared to an audience of over 1,000 business and community leaders at the 48th annual event hosted by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.
The mayor highlighted significant investments in public safety, including the addition of 74 new police officers in the past year. She reported a 25% drop in the violent crime rate and noted that the police department is on track to be fully staffed by the end of the year for the first time in 25 years.
Lock Dawson also touted the city's economic development, announcing the arrival of 1,600 new businesses that brought 13,500 jobs to Riverside. Construction permits increased by 10%, representing over $390 million in new projects.
The mayor emphasized Riverside's growing role in green technology, announcing that four major green tech manufacturers have chosen to locate in the city. These include Ohmio, which moved its headquarters from New Zealand to produce electric autonomous vehicles, and Hyundai Rotem Tech, which will manufacture hydrogen-powered trains.
"We're not just in the green tech conversation; we are leading it," Lock Dawson said.
She also revealed that Green Power Motor Company, a manufacturer of electric school buses, will relocate its global headquarters to Riverside this spring.
The mayor highlighted partnerships as key to the city's success, including collaborations with educational institutions and state agencies. She noted the University of California, Riverside's role in providing research and an educated workforce for green technology companies.
Lock Dawson announced her selection as chair of the California Big City Mayors Coalition, a bipartisan group of leaders from the state's 13 largest cities. In this role, she will advocate directly with the governor and state legislature on issues such as housing production, homelessness, public safety, and economic development.
"Riverside is not just at the table. We've claimed the head of the table," she said.
The mayor outlined several ongoing and future projects, including the North Side Agricultural Innovation Center, which aims to reinvent agricultural practices for a changing environment. She also discussed plans to reimagine the Santa Ana River as a recreation destination and rebrand areas of the city to boost economic activity.
Lock Dawson announced 2025 as the "Year of Arts and Culture" in the downtown Arts and Culture District, with over 300 events planned.
Throughout her speech, Lock Dawson emphasized Riverside's ability to "dream big" and work together to turn those dreams into reality.
"We are not a city that settles. We are a city that seeks greatness," she said.
The mayor concluded by calling on residents to join in shaping the city's future. "It's you, it's me, and it's this city... Together, we are Riverside. And together, our time is now."
