Memphis Mayor Paul Young, accompanied by Council Chair Ford Canale and Council Vice Chair Jana Swearengen-Washington, delivered a hopeful State of the City Address, emphasizing progress and the vision for the future of the Bluff City. Speaking at the Temple of Deliverance, Young identified the era as Memphis's time to rise, akin to the southern cities of Atlanta, Austin, and Nashville before it, according to Action News 5.
With an eye on 2025, Mayor Young shared milestones from the previous year, including the repair of 82,000 potholes and a remarkable 13% decrease in overall crime. In a moment addressing the city's challenges, like a recent deadly shooting, he demonstrated a personal touch, revealing that he reads every shooting report and underscored the need for conflict resolution within the community: "We gotta put the guns down... we gotta find another way to resolve conflict," Mayor Young told Action News 5.
The address was also an opportunity to flaunt economic optimism, with Young projecting a budget surplus of $45 million per year starting in July 2026. This fiscal windfall aims to stabilize neighborhoods and stimulate private sector investment. As reported by The Commercial Appeal, Young's goals involve making Memphis the easiest city in America to do business with. Council Vice Chair Swearengen-Washington echoed this sentiment, enjoining city unity behind the progress agenda, chanting "Yes, Memphis," with rally towels to boost the crowd's spirit.
Public safety is a key pillar of Young’s platform, with plans to expand the police vehicle fleet and the SkyCop program to foster trust between law enforcement and locals. The city will continue to bolster infrastructure, with Canale highlighting the importance of a single, united voice in tackling both local and state-wide issues. "Memphis is worth fighting for. We believe in you Memphis," Canale expressed in an event attended by political leaders, as noted by The Commercial Appeal.
