Staff Reports | Free Press Politics
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods praised the city’s collective efforts during his State of the City address on Dec. 3 at the Tempe Center for the Arts, highlighting reductions in violent crime, recovery from October’s microburst storm and growth in dining and technology sectors.
The city achieved a drop in violent crime through enhanced community policing, targeted safety initiatives and collaboration between law enforcement and residents, according to a press release.
The mayor also commended emergency response teams and public works crews for restoring storm‑impacted areas quickly after the October microburst. Mayor Woods noted that new restaurants, tech startups and infrastructure improvements are fueling job creation and quality of life.
“2025 has shown what happens when city government, first responders, businesses and community members — all work together,” Mayor Woods said. “We’ve seen crime go down, we returned quickly and strongly after the storm, supported local businesses, and strengthened Tempe’s place as a vibrant, resilient city poised for growth.”
Mayor Woods also called on residents, business leaders and local officials to maintain momentum, emphasizing continued commitment to public safety, infrastructure resilience and economic opportunity.
The event featured interactive elements, including coffee served by a DoorDash robot from Brick Road Coffee and a “Thank You Notes” segment with Tempe Chamber President and CEO Robin Arredondo-Savage.
“This year’s State of the City highlighted the strength of our community — from new businesses and a revitalized Downtown to our collective resilience,” Ms. Arredondo-Savage said. “Our progress is driven by people and businesses working together, strengthening our quality of life and economic future. Thank you to the sponsors whose support reflects our shared commitment to Tempe’s continued growth.”
Ms. Arredondo-Savage said collaboration between businesses and residents will remain key to sustaining economic progress.
