In his third State of the City Address, Mayor Malik D. Evans highlighted the positive momentum in Rochester as community partnerships strive to create hope and opportunities for residents. Speaking at the William A. Johnson Jr. Terminal Building at the Port of Rochester, he stated, “Rochester is gaining a new momentum because our city’s greatest resource, the people of Rochester – all the people of Rochester – are working together to build that momentum.”
Mayor Evans emphasized the collective effort, noting, “We, not me, are working together. All of us – are moving Rochester forward together.”
A focus of his address was public safety, where he pointed out the significant decrease in gun violence since the pandemic’s peak. Statistics from 2021 to 2024 show shootings have dropped by 53%, shooting injuries by 51%, and fatal shootings by 49%. He remarked, “And the true signs of our momentum toward a safer Rochester are visible beyond the numbers.”
Neighborhoods like Lyell-Otis, Edgerton, and Maplewood are exemplifying this momentum by reviving partnerships with the Rochester Police Department and organizing community activities. Additionally, fatal shootings among youth under 18 significantly decreased from seven in 2022 to one in 2024.
Efforts to address housing equity are also showing progress. Initiatives based on the 2022 Housing Quality Task Force aim to reduce blight, adding new housing inspectors, automating compliance schedules, and hiring a housing attorney. Evans noted, “As it becomes increasingly evident that our zero-tolerance approach to housing quality isn’t going away, we’re seeing more landlords make a choice.”
Promoting secure housing is part of the city’s strategy to enhance prosperity. Mayor Evans highlighted the need for a comprehensive housing strategy to alleviate rent burdens: “Far too many of our residents are rent burdened, spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing, leaving little else for basic needs like food, clothing, and emergency savings.”
He concluded the address by linking hope and opportunity, stating, “Hope begets opportunity. Opportunity begets hope.”
To access further information or watch the 2025 State of the City Address, additional resources are available online.
