Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. (File photo from Jeff Motz/KFOR News)LINCOLN–(KFOR/News Release Oct. 8)–In her State of the City Address on Tuesday morning, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird told a Leadership Lincoln gathering at the Cornhusker Hotel the city is strong, while highlighting on street infrastructure improvements, workforce development and affordable housing. Gaylor Baird also noted about the $47-million in investments in the past year, through the voter-approved sales tax for the Lincoln on The Move Street Project. Nearly 18 lane miles of arterial streets and eight miles of residential roadway have had construction work or resurfacing done. “Since the Lincoln on the Move sales tax took effect, we have completed 50 additional street construction and improvement projects, and invested nearly $78 million additional dollars into our streets, making it easier, safer, and smoother for people to drive to work, for children to get to school, and for customers to support our local businesses,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. Regarding housing in Lincoln, the mayor highlighted progress toward creating 5,000 new or rehabilitated homes by 2030, with more than 2,600 units done and putting the city ahead of schedule. “During the past three calendar years, our City team has worked diligently to issue more residential building permits than any other three-year period on record,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird.   The mayor also announced the City’s plans to break ground this month on Lincoln’s first City-owned Permanent Supportive Housing development, which will provide long-term housing and supportive services to residents experiencing chronic homelessness. The initiative is a key step toward functionally ending homelessness in Lincoln. With workforce development, Gaylor Baird said close to 1,500 residents have benefited from the City’s job training initiatives to help workers with skills in high-demand fields, like manufacturing, IT and health. “The most solid foundation of a vibrant economy is a good job, which is why my administration has made investments in workforce development that help our residents attain meaningful, financially secure careers and help local employers access the talent they need to compete,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. As for public safety, the mayor said Part 1 crime, which includes violent crime, in Lincoln is at a 25-year low, with case clearance rates at their highest since 2010. The Lincoln Police Department’s recruiting efforts – which includes the current academy class of 18 cadets, the largest class in the past eight years – resulted in reaching 94% of its authorized staffing strength. Other items outlined in Mayor Gaylor Baird’s address: Health Initiatives: The City continues to reduce lead exposure risks through the Lead Safe Lincoln initiative, including work to replace all private lead water lines by 2035. Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD)provided over 700 home visits to families with newborns during the first year of the Family Connects program. To address health disparities, LLCHD partnered with the Cultural Centers of Lincoln to empower more than 5,600 community members from racial and ethnic minority groups to access vital behavioral health care and take proactive steps in managing and preventing chronic diseases. Climate Action: The City is helping residents adopt energy-efficient technologies that reduce utility costs, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by offering homeowners a second round of heat pump incentives. Water Infrastructure: Progress continues on the City’s Water 2.0 effort to secure a second water source. Construction on the 60-inch transmission main that will connect water from the Missouri River to Lincoln will begin next spring. Environmental testing has been completed on potential wellfield sites near the river, and environmental testing is also underway on potential treatment plant locations, with preparations underway for a new water treatment facility. Parks and Recreation: The City opened two new parks in north Lincoln – Prairie Village and Tranquility – serving over 1,600 households. Mayor Gaylor Baird also celebrated the recent acquisition of land for the future Cornhusker Bank Park, a 154-acre park in northwest Lincoln. Dynamic Downtown: Mayor Gaylor Baird announced progress on the Downtown Corridors project, with federal funding secured for key streetscape improvements to Ninth, 10th, and “O” Streets that will begin construction in Spring 2025. She also highlighted development of the Music Box, a new venue within Lincoln’s Music District, where artists, musicians, and the public will be able to convene, create, and collaborate following completion of construction this year.