Downey completes 44 of 101 strategic plan goals

Columbia Memorial Space Center executive director Ben Dickow speaks at a groundbreaking event on Nov. 17, 2025. (City of Downey photo)

DOWNEY — The Downey City Council received a quarterly update Tuesday on its Downey Forward 2030 Strategic Plan, with city staff reporting that 44 of the plan’s 101 actions were complete as of Sept. 30.

Another 45 actions were underway, nine had yet to start and three were no longer being pursued. Staff put overall progress at 70%, a figure that reflects partial progress on work still underway. The report covered July through September, the first quarter of the city’s 2026-27 fiscal year.

Economic development had the highest progress rating of the plan’s five priority areas at 77%. The city marked its economic development strategy complete and rated work on a plan to attract grocery stores at 75%. A review of whether the city could offer financial assistance for storefront improvements was at 10%.

The category covering quality of life, safety and infrastructure had the lowest progress rating at 65%. The city marked its homelessness plan update and several phases of residential street repaving complete. Improvements at Rio San Gabriel Park and a community garden planned for the park were each listed at 25%, while a study of whether to develop a new community center was halfway complete.

The city also reported that it had launched the Downey City Library’s app and established a teen advisory board for the library. A community satisfaction survey had yet to begin.

The three actions the city was no longer pursuing were a new city website, passport services at the library and a second dog park at Golden Park.

The council adopted Downey Forward 2030 in June 2024 as the city’s first comprehensive strategic plan. The plan guides city priorities and budget decisions, drawing on input from residents, businesses and city employees. Residents can follow quarterly updates on the city’s Downey Forward 2030 webpage at downeyca.org/downey30sp