Mayor Mahoney delivers final State of the City, touts housing gains and lower crime

Mayor Daniel J. Mahoney used his final State of the City address to present what he called a ‘‘reckoning’’ for Jackson City, spotlighting recent housing gains, public-safety figures and new intergovernmental partnerships while honoring community leaders.

Mahoney framed the speech around a biblical passage and a message of continuity, saying the city must ‘‘write the vision and make it plain.’’ He told the crowd he would step back from office to spend more time with family but urged residents and future leaders to carry forward the work: "If Jackson is gonna reach its full potential, then we must stop shrinking from who we are capable of becoming," Mahoney said.

The mayor highlighted concrete results and ongoing projects. He said 52 homes have sold through the city’s "100 homes" project, calling it "the largest housing expansion that this city has seen in decades" and saying private developers are following public investment. He announced infrastructure work on MLK Drive is halfway complete and that a new park at the MLK Center is planned for summer. Mahoney said the city had "injected nearly $1,500,000 into businesses inside the MLK Corridor" and has assembled property intended for a grocery store.

On public safety, Mahoney presented department statistics and urged residents to consult official data: "The fact is, overall, crime in this city is down 14%." He added that shots fired were down 20%, "bullets to body" down 18% and Part 1 crimes down 10%, and said those figures are available on the Jackson Police Department website. He acknowledged that statistics do not fully capture residents’ lived experience and reiterated the city’s commitment to violence-reduction efforts and community partnerships.

Mahoney also promoted administrative innovations intended to reduce friction for businesses and residents, naming programs such as "Fix 36" to simplify doing business, a curb-appeal program to help homeowners with exterior repairs, and a street-assessment assistance program. He described a Caring Hearts Clearing Pass to aid disabled and elderly residents with driveway and sidewalk repairs.

On shared services, Mahoney and City Manager Jonathan Green highlighted new intergovernmental work: Jackson City has an agreement to provide building-inspection services in Leoni Township (about 30 inspections a month, the manager said) and has moved to formalize a shared-services framework with Summit Township for fire protection and a joint fire board to evaluate response, staffing and cost efficiencies. Green closed the program saying, "We are better together. We are 1 Jackson."

The evening included ceremonial honors. Mahoney presented keys to the city to numerous individuals and local organizations, recognizing volunteerism, nonprofit leadership, theater restoration and work in public mental health. Recipients included JTV’s Bart and Karen Holly; Brenda Hughes for community service; Mary Beth Leonard on her retirement after 33 years in behavioral-health work; Monica Moser with the Jackson Community Foundation; Mike Thompson of Segway; Steve Tucker for work on the Michigan Theater; and Ed Woods for long-standing service in public mental health.

Mahoney repeatedly called for continued investment and civic ambition. He closed by reminding residents that progress depends on choices made collectively and on leaders who are willing to be bold while leaving the office "empty" and hopeful about the city’s future.