SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg gave the city's State of the City address Wednesday morning, touching on numerous topics that delved into Sacramento's past, present, and future.
Steinberg began the State of the City address highlighting the ways that Sacramento has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mayor spoke from the newly renovated Safe Credit Union Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, which Steinberg pointed to as a sign of recovery now that California is reopening
"This building, these two buildings, are big visible signs of rebirth with conventions scheduled well into 2030," Steinberg said.
Steinberg highlighted other successes that came out of the pandemic era in terms of business development, housing and police reform, then dived into the city's lasting problems, namely, homelessness.
“I refuse, the community refuses, to accept the present reality,” Steinberg said of the city's unsheltered population problem.
Steinberg proposed $75 million in funding to address homelessness to carry out a Master Siting Plan, which would essentially bring thousands of unsheltered people into short and long-term organized camping sites, tiny homes, safe parking sites, and more according to the project website. The funding would come from a combination of the American Rescue Plan, the state budget, and the Housing Trust Fund.
Steinberg also announced he wants the city to enact new rules that state that people have a legal right to shelter and housing, and at the same time, that there is a legal obligation for unsheltered people to accept shelter and housing when it is offered.
"We can’t help people if they do not come indoors," Steinberg said. "We can’t help people if they are living under the freeway."
The mayor also looked toward future developments during the State of the City address. Among his ideas for Sacramento, he stated he wants to make Al Fresco dining permanent, and that he wants to take money directly from the city relief fund to remove boarded up windows in businesses and replace the broken glass.
Steinberg also mentioned that Sacramento is in talks with investors to continue plans to bring an MLS franchise to the city after lead investor Ron Burkle pulled out earlier this year.
Before Steinberg gave these remarks, he announced the recipient of the 2021 Mort Friedman Legacy Award, "which recognizes outstanding individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to public service." Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County's Public Health Officer, was the recipient for her tireless work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event also include a presentation of artwork and performances curated by the Black Artist Foundry, as well as a reading from Sacramento’s own National Youth Poet Laureate Alexandra Huynh.
READ MORE FROM ABC10:
- Where to watch fireworks: List of firework shows throughout Northern California
- Why is Sacramento allowing fireworks this July 4th? | Why Guy
- Sacramento middle school teacher accused of saying racial slur twice in classroom
- San Juan Unified parents demanding more representation on the school board
- 6 years later: Family seeks answers in Del Paso Heights man's killing
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read
Watch more from ABC10
Disability advocates explain why they feel the disabled community has been left out of new stimulus
