On Wednesday, March 9, Irvine’s 2022 State of the City address at the Irvine Barclay Theater marked the return of in-person participation for the event, after a two-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus.

Focusing on four core issues impacting the fastest growing city in America, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan reflected on her first year-plus as mayor, acknowledging the opportunity to continue to provide impeccable service and attention to detail through the community.

In her address, Khan also shared a groundbreaking plan to eliminate food insecurity in Irvine using a portion of the $56 million from the Irvine Recovery Plan funds and donations from Second Harvest Food Bank and Irvine’s Farm and Food Lab.

“Using our rescue plan funds, and a generous donation from A.G. Kawamura, we’re establishing our own municipal farm and providing our vulnerable families with fresh, nutritional fruits and vegetables in a dignified manner,” Khan explained. “I hope you’ll join me in supporting this effort by volunteering your time in the field.”

While Khan had many things to say about the city’s current successes, she acknowledged that Irvine’s 50 years of prior accomplishments have led to the city’s ongoing status as the most successful master-planned community in the nation.

“As we reflect on our past, we recognize what makes Irvine so special isn’t how we changed, but how we as a community have remained committed to the principles of Irvine’s master plan,” Khan said.

From economic recovery for the local restaurant industry to assistance with monthly rental payments, Khan expressed gratitude and optimism for the community-wide efforts that have helped so many families in Irvine over the past 36 months.

“In 2021, through the efforts of the Orange County United Way and the state’s COVID-19 Rental Relief Program, rental assistance was provided to more than 3,600 households — more than $42 million of support,” she said. “Keeping residents in our homes was a major component of our economic recovery.”

Referencing the establishment of Orange County’s first COVID-19 and business reopening task forces and the city’s first free COVID-19 vaccination site, Khan is undoubtedly proud of the work she and the City Council have accomplished.

In fact, at 89%, Irvine has the highest vaccination rate in all cities in Orange County.

“Last year, when I spoke to you, just a few months into my first few months as mayor, I acknowledged that we need the opportunity for healing, recovery and growth,” Khan said to fellow colleagues and community members. “We did exactly that, in order to ensure we provided the best service to the community.”

Looking back on 2021, Khan explained that acquiring $56 million from the American Rescue Plan Act in October was a monumental accomplishment, as the funds will continue to be utilized for future projects in the years ahead, including the elimination of food insecurity in Irvine.

“In October 2021, the city adopted the Irvine Recovery Plan for the allocation and use of $56 million one-time American Rescue Plan Act funds,” Khan said. “These dollars will fund programs that support critical needs of residents and small businesses, continue investments in affordable housing, child care and broadband, help address key environmental and transportation priorities.”

Despite a pandemic, Khan said she wants to build on the city’s recent successes, starting with delivering renewable energy to businesses and residents through a partnership with the Orange County Power Authority, as well as moving major infrastructure projects toward completion.

“Irvine has earned a national reputation for our commitment to sustainability, energy conservation and environmental stewardship. We have taken steps for climate impacts, and began preparing for a climate-resilient future by conceiving a local hazard mitigation plan and strategic energy plan,” she said.

In terms of infrastructure, Khan said that the city of Irvine would be working to complete its backlog of infrastructure projects within two years.

From the Flying Leatherneck Museum to a world-class botanical garden and a veterans memorial park, and of course Wild Rivers Water Park, Khan said the conversations today will lead to action tomorrow.

“As we continue to serve as the city of innovation, we look to embark on the first phase of construction on the Cultural Terrace, with a new event center, cultural center, museum and an innovation center concept,” she said. “In the past year, the city continues to improve the condition of our infrastructure, with the completion of a number of important projects, as well as the allocation of additional funds. To further respond to the city’s pavement needs, Irvine’s Recover Plan dollars were allocated to pavement maintenance, to clear our infrastructure backlog by 2024.

Reflecting on the work ahead, Khan described the last few years as being trauma-filled, but Irvine continued to succeed nonetheless.

“Like the pandemic, none of the challenges facing our city have fast or easy fixes, and all of them are going to take a unified and collective effort for us to truly solve,” she said. “We can show the world that a city can solve the most complicated issues of our day, and be a true agent of change.”

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