State of the City: A Year of Growth, Resilience, and Community Momentum

At this year’s Discover Plymouth event, I had the honor of delivering the 2026 State of the City. It was an opportunity to reflect on who we are as a community — and where we’re going.

Delivering the State of the City Address, March 21, 2026

The story of the past year is one of momentum. We celebrated record participation at city events, growth in MetroLink ridership, and the completion of the Northwest Greenway — a 20‑year vision now fully realized across 315 acres. We launched Hello Plymouth!, expanded inclusive recreation programs, and completed Minnesota’s first smart tree inventory, using data to protect and strengthen our urban forest.

I outlined the Play It Forward Plymouth proposal — a generational investment in our ice center, a new year‑round fieldhouse, and a regional sports complex — alongside updates on our Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and the early stages of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan.

Recognizing the trust our residents have in our public safety department.

I also acknowledged the uncertainty many residents felt earlier this year. I spoke about how those moments reminded us of something essential: trust is built locally, through the steady, community‑focused work of our police officers, firefighters, and city staff. Their professionalism continues to anchor Plymouth.

And we lifted up the people who make this city what it is, including residents like Armetha Pihlstrom, whose story reflects how opportunity and community support can spark lasting impact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j2P27IMY4s

Plymouth has accomplished so much — and we’re just getting started. The years ahead hold enormous potential, and together, we can keep building a city that reflects our shared values and our shared future.

Read the Sun Sailor article: Plymouth State of the City highlights MetroLink growth, smart tree inventory and more