2025 State of the City Recap
Published on November 18, 2025
A Year of Unity, Resilience, and Innovation
South San Francisco hosted its 2025 State of the City presentations on Wednesday, November 12, during the City Council meeting, and again on Thursday, November 13, at the South San Francisco Conference Center. Mayor Eddie Flores delivered the address, highlighting the year’s accomplishments, challenges, and the shared values that continue to guide the community forward.
This year’s presentation also introduced a new format: a fireside chat featuring local students, bringing youth voices into the conversation about the city’s future. Their questions and perspectives offered a meaningful reminder of who the City’s long-term planning ultimately serves.
Key Highlights from the 2025 State of the City
A Strong and Connected Community
The Mayor underscored South San Francisco’s strength in unity and diversity, reflected in citywide cultural events such as this year’s Cultura Fest, expanded public services, and new partnerships supporting families. Programs like Project Read’s Learning Wheels and the YMCA Community Resource Center collaborations, help the City continue to meet residents where they are with multilingual and accessible support.
Programs for All Ages
From youth internships and expanded after-school opportunities to the City’s first Age-Friendly Action Plan and increased senior programs, South San Francisco reinforced its commitment to serving residents at every stage of life. This year’s “Every Kid Deserves a Bike” distribution provided 200 bicycles to local students, bringing the program total to 1,400.
Investments in Parks, Libraries, and Recreation
The Library | Parks and Recreation Center saw more than 277,000 visits and over 2,000 programs, while construction advanced on key recreation facilities including the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center and neighborhood parks in Sunshine Gardens, Linden and Pine, and Dundee. Concert in the Park drew nearly 7,000 attendees to celebrate community and music.
Public Safety and Preparedness
Both Police and Fire Departments reported major advancements. Crime declined significantly across all categories, the Fire Department deployed a new fire boat and expanded drone operations, and the City prepared to launch its first Drone as First Responder Program. New mental health resources and transparency tools, including Citizen RIMS, strengthened community-centered public safety.
Infrastructure and Climate Resilience
Major upgrades improved roadways, bike routes, transit access, and traffic management. Climate resilience projects also advanced, including flood protection at the Water Quality Control Plant, shoreline protection planning, and expansion of the free South City Shuttle, which carried more than 80,000 passengers last year.
Economic Vitality and Innovation
The City’s downtown activation program, Launch Local, continued to support small businesses, while major biotech investments and developments expanded South San Francisco’s position as the birthplace of biotechnology. Workforce training, new storefronts, and major construction projects helped drive economic momentum.
Housing and Anti-Displacement Efforts
The City secured nearly $6.3 million in local funding to support affordable housing developments, moved forward on new affordable projects along Linden Avenue and Mission Road, and continued rental assistance partnerships that kept dozens of families housed.
Fiscal Responsibility and Modernization
South San Francisco maintained its AAA bond rating and received national recognition for excellence in budgeting and financial reporting. Long-term modernization efforts continued through the Workday ERP project and major upgrades to digital services, accessibility, and cybersecurity.
Fireside Chat: Youth Voices at the Center
Following the formal address, Mayor Flores hosted a fireside chat with local students, giving them the opportunity to learn about public service.
Watch the Replay
A full video of the 2025 State of the City presentation, including the student fireside chat and closing remarks, is available here (time stamp: 30:00): https://ci-ssf-ca.granicus.com/player/clip/2069?view_id=3&redirect=true