At a sold-out State of the City address at the Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods highlighted a year marked by public safety gains, rapid disaster recovery and continued economic growth.
Woods pointed to a notable decline in violent crime, crediting strengthened community policing, targeted safety initiatives and close collaboration between law enforcement and residents. He also reflected on October’s destructive microburst storm, praising emergency responders and public works crews for restoring impacted areas quickly and minimizing disruptions for neighborhoods and businesses.
Economic and cultural momentum also took center stage. Woods emphasized Tempe’s expanding dining and technology sectors, noting that new restaurants, tech startups and infrastructure investments are creating jobs and enhancing quality of life.
“2025 has shown what happens when city government, first responders, businesses and community members — all work together,” said Mayor Woods. “We’ve seen crime go down; returned quickly and strongly after the storm; supported local businesses; and strengthened Tempe’s place as a vibrant, resilient city poised for growth.”
The event featured lighthearted moments, including coffee served to the mayor by a DoorDash robot from Tempe’s Brick Road Coffee. Tempe Chamber President and CEO Robin Arredondo-Savage joined Woods on stage for a “Thank You Notes” segment inspired by late-night television.
“This year’s State of the City highlighted the strength of our community — from new businesses and a revitalized Downtown to our collective resilience,” said Arredondo-Savage. “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.”
Woods closed by urging residents, business leaders and local officials to maintain the city’s momentum through continued focus on public safety, infrastructure resilience and economic opportunity.
The event was supported by sponsors that included Edward Jones, Salt River Project, Vitalant, Beckton Dickinson, Thrive Tempe, the City of Tempe, DoorDash, HonorHealth, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the Tempe Officers Association and ASU.
