Mayor Goes Back to the Past to Discuss City's Current, Future State During Last Annual Address
Today, Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones delivered his final State of the City address before a full house at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. The program, modeled after the “Back to the Future” movie, featured a DeLorean Time Machine and highlighted current City accomplishments and future developments founded on the community’s 150-year history.
Mayor Jones, who completes his last mayoral term at the end of the year, opened the program by saying, “2024 is a milestone year. We’re celebrating the 150th anniversary of our town’s formation in 1874 . . . and while not as history-making . . . 2024 also marks my final year as mayor of Garden Grove.”
The opening video showcased various events over the year, including the dedication of a new playground at Magnolia Park, themed after the City’s agricultural history; the ribbon-cutting for the new Home2Suites by Hilton hotel, the first hotel south of the SR-22 Garden Grove Freeway; the groundbreaking for Phase II of the City’s largest mixed-use project, Brookhurst Place; and a bridge and plaque dedication for Garden Grove Police Officer Han Cho, who was killed in an off-duty motorcycle accident.
The mayor officially announced the grand opening of the Central Cities Navigation Center, taking place on June 5, 2024. The center, a collaboration between the City of Garden Grove, and the Cities of Fountain Valley, Westminster, and the County of Orange, broke ground last June, meeting the City’s goal to be in operation within one year.
Moving to one of the City’s most prominent developments, the Garden Grove Civic Center Revitalization Project, Mayor Jones said, “This $152 million project, located in the heart of our city, propels the Garden Grove Police Department into a modern era of public service.”
Divided into two phases, Phase I, comprised of a 3-story, 103,000 square-foot police facility and 4-level parking structure, is slated for completion in March 2026.
“Over the last year, the City invested nearly $24 million into a capital improvement plan to enhance city streets, parks, facilities, and other essential infrastructure,” said Mayor Jones.
The Pavement Management Acceleration Program resulted in substantial improvements to several streets throughout the city.
Citing Garden Grove’s extensive and diverse food scene, the mayor singled out the city’s newest restaurant addition, Smoke Queen Barbeque.
“Food royalty has come to Garden Grove as the first Smoke Queen Barbecue becomes the anchor tenant for Cottage Industries, the city’s unique commercial enclave near the civic center that uses repurposed Craftsman homes,” said Mayor Jones.
Focusing on the City’s strong tourism presence, Mayor Jones said, “Tourism continues to drive the City’s thriving local economy as Transient Occupancy Tax revenues for Fiscal Year 23/24 are on track to surpass $28 million at the end of June.”
He added that financial forecasts indicated that without any negative impacts to the City’s revenue base, the City would continue to have a balanced budget for the next five years.
The mayor concluded his presentation with parting words of wisdom.
“As I look back on the past and into the future, I realize how lucky I am that this amazing city has become such an integral part of my being over the past 25 years. It’s all about the people. The people I’ve met and the genuine friendships I’ve made . . . Thank you for all the wonderful memories I’ll keep, and from the bottom of my heart, allowing me to serve in office for all these years. It has been my greatest honor.”
A closing video that had been kept under wraps to the mayor, paid homage to his combined 25 years of service to the City.
A complete transcript of the mayor’s speech and supporting videos are available on the City’s website at www.ggcity.org/state-city-2024.
