2024 Mayoral Address Highlighted By Three Overarching City Focuses
Sold Out Event Brings Leaders Together from Business, Civic, and Nonprofit Communities
STAMFORD — Reflecting on her administration and previewing the future, Mayor Caroline Simmons delivered her State of the City address to a packed audience at The Village on Thursday, April 25. Annually hosted by the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, the event emphasizes economic growth in the city and connections made through collaboration.
This year’s sold out remarks focused on three priorities for the Simmons Administration and the city at large. They include infrastructure enhancements, responsible economic growth, and ensuring that Stamford’s municipal government is more responsive to residents.
In her welcome remarks, Chamber President & CEO Heather Cavanagh highlighted what she thinks makes Stamford stand out for businesses of all sizes and industries.
“Several cities in Connecticut are among the most diverse in the country with Stamford ranking third recently, according to WalletHub,” Cavanagh said. “Cities that are attractive places to live, attract talented people, who in turn drive innovation and productivity. This is what makes Stamford the place to be!”
After Cavanagh, Chamber treasurer Garry Feldman, president of the U.S. Computer Corporation, took to the stage to speak to attendees before introducing the next speaker, Carin Hep, Assistant Vice President, Small Group & Individual Broker Channel Sales for event sponsor Delta Dental of New Jersey & Connecticut.
When it was the Mayor’s turn, she began by elaborating on recent accomplishments during her administration, including how, in 2023, “over 2,000 new businesses started in Stamford.”
“Stamford was once again ranked the safest city in New England according to FBI crime statistics. … These statistics are more than just numbers. They are tangible evidence that Stamford is the heart of our state’s economy and a regional economic engine,” Simmons said. “But the success of our city is based on more than just numbers and rankings. It’s based on our residents, who are the soul of what makes Stamford one of the best places to live.”
On infrastructure, Simmons highlighted major projects to reconnect communities and improve areas of the city that have gone without repair for years.
“From doubling the amount of road paving to fixing sidewalks around 14 schools to launching 20 pedestrian safety pilots, we’re making significant investments to improve roads and sidewalks across the city,” Simmons explained before mentioning several overpasses being fixed, including the West Main Street, Lakeside, Cedar Heights, and High Ridge Road bridges. “In an era of so much divisiveness, it’s harder than ever to build bridges but we’re getting it done.”
As school construction work continues, Simmons elaborated on new buildings and capital projects planned throughout Stamford. Individuals are encouraged to visit the city’s spsbuilds.com site for progress updates on the construction.
On public spaces like the city’s 58 parks and three beaches, Simmons reiterated her commitment to ensuring those popular offerings remain safe and accessible while seeking to expand resources to do that.
Simmons recognized the city’s ongoing work to increase its resilience and sustainability in combating local impacts of climate change. This is being tackled through efforts by the Mayor’s Climate Council, installation of bioswales, and other projects.
Regarding her next focus, Simmons addressed the continued economic growth underway and more efforts planned for the future.
To advance economic prosperity, Simmons outlined her administration’s continued focus on making housing in Stamford more accessible and affordable.
“We have a moral obligation to do something about this and make sure that everyone has a roof over their head,” the Mayor said. “That is why I signed our city's first executive order on affordable housing with the goal of creating or renovating 1,000 new affordable units by 2025 and we’re making progress towards this goal as 665 units have been constructed or are in the pipeline for completion.”
Additionally, Simmons recently announced a move to establish a new position for a Director of Housing Services. Serving within the Department of Health and Human Services, a March announcement from the Mayor’s Office indicated, the role is cost-neutral and “will be responsible for coordination and oversight of the City’s housing services and homelessness programs.”
In her speech, Simmons continued on the topic of housing, adding, “we need to collectively use our voices to advocate for more inclusive and equitable housing policies.”
Lastly, on her third priority, Simmons touched upon how the city government can and will continue to more effectively address resident concerns and expedite processes as much as possible.
“I’m happy to report that our walk-in permitting center that we launched has helped over 300 residents navigate our permitting system,” Simmons said. In the next few weeks we will be making this permitting center permanent with a new, modern space on the seventh floor at Government Center.”
Simmons noted that, in some cases, permitting wait times have decreased from three years to ninety days.
“We don’t just settle for the status quo in Stamford. We innovate and adapt to meet the moment, and address the critical needs of our residents,” she said. “This is our moment to meet these challenges and to work together to ensure that Stamford is a city of opportunity for everyone.”
In closing, Simmons previewed a new city initiative dubbed “Serve Stamford” that will highlight a service project each month for residents to get involved in the community.
Among the many business and community leaders in attendance was Board of Finance member Geoff Alswanger (D), who expressed support for the Mayor’s vision for the city.
“I feel very optimistic about Stamford,” Alswanger told the Stamford Current. “The Mayor’s speech today really shows that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Simmons will now set out to continue implementing her shared vision of a city that prioritizes improved infrastructure, economic prosperity for everyone, and a way to govern that directly supports residents.
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