DOWNEY – Mayor Hector Sosa is closing out what he describes as the busiest and most fulfilling year of his life, reflecting on a term defined by public safety investments, strong financial management, support for small businesses, and a major step toward expanding the Columbia Memorial Space Center.

Sosa delivered his year-end reflections in a conversation with the Downey Patriot. He also reflected on his year during a State of the City luncheon last month, where he walked residents, business owners and community leaders through a detailed presentation of the city’s accomplishments and upcoming priorities.

The presentation highlighted Downey’s continued financial stability, progress on long-term economic development efforts, and major legacy projects designed to strengthen the city for decades to come.

“This has been the busiest year of my life,” Sosa told the Patriot. “I have to give a lot of credit to my wife and my sons who have been very supportive from day one. Before I decided to run for office, I had to get their blessing because it was going to be a commitment. That’s time away from home, time away from baseball games and family parties. But they know why I’m serving and they love Downey just as much as I do.”

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Sosa grew up in Downey, attended Griffiths Middle School and Warren High School, and met his future wife, Daisy, on campus. He often points to those roots as the reason he ran for office, saying he felt a responsibility to step in as the city underwent major staffing turnover in 2022.

“I started to see that there was a high turnover and a mass exodus from our management team at City Hall,” Sosa said. “I really had a lot of concerns there. I didn’t like the direction the city was going in, so I said, ‘You know, maybe it’s time for me to get off the sidelines.’”

He was elected that same year and became mayor in late 2024. His tenure has been marked by what city staff describe as one of the most active and engaged mayoral years in recent memory.

Public safety remains Downey’s largest investment

Sosa placed public safety at the top of his priorities throughout the year. More than half of Downey’s general fund budget—58 percent—supports police and fire services, reflecting the city’s longstanding commitment to maintaining a safe community.

The city also secured more than $15 million in safety-related grants this year, including major funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Much of the funding will support traffic enforcement, neighborhood safety programs, and infrastructure improvements connected to crime prevention.

“Our responsibility is to do everything we can to keep this community safe,” Sosa said. “That’s always been our top priority.”

Sosa said his approach to public safety and all decision-making is rooted in community engagement and careful research.

“I always try to make decisions based on what I believe is in the best interest of the community,” he said. “I have my own beliefs but it really comes down to what’s in the best interest of Downey and its residents. I learned a long time ago that you’re not going to make everybody happy but as long as I do my due diligence, I do my research and talk to residents, I’m at peace with how I vote.”

Fiscal responsibility

A major portion of Sosa’s presentation focused on Downey’s financial health, which remains among the strongest in the region.

This year Downey adopted its 13th consecutive balanced city budget, continuing a financial track record that has earned statewide and national recognition. The city received national awards for its budget presentation and comprehensive financial reporting for the 12th straight year.

The city also launched a new digital budget book, aimed at making the city’s financial information more transparent and accessible to residents.

Sosa called financial discipline the backbone of everything Downey does.

“We have a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” he said. “Our residents deserve clear information and long-term fiscal stability. Everything else we do depends on that.”

Downey’s financial strength allows it to maintain full-service operations, including its own police department, fire department, library, and recreation services — a point highlighted early in the presentation as part of the city’s identity.

Supporting small businesses

Small businesses also featured prominently in Sosa’s year as mayor. The city expanded outreach to local shops, strengthened partnerships with the business community and placed renewed emphasis on supporting the local economy.

Downey hosted seven small business workshops during Sosa’s year as mayor.

Sosa emphasized Downey’s position as a regional medical hub and home to an award-winning school district, both of which help drive economic stability. The city’s population is now more than 113,000, and its 12.41-square-mile footprint includes a mix of commercial corridors, neighborhood retail, and industrial areas.

Several long-term economic development projects advanced this year:

Rancho South Campus

Downey and Los Angeles County continued work on the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus planning effort, including feasibility studies for a potential enhanced infrastructure financing district. The city entered into an exclusive negotiating agreement with the county to move the project forward.

“There are some exciting things coming,” Sosa said.

Southeast Gateway Line

Sosa continued advocating for the Southeast Gateway Line, a major transit project intended to connect multiple southeast cities. This year the project secured nearly $1 billion in federal reimbursement eligibility and $200 million in state funding, positioning the line to move forward after years of uncertainty.

City of STEM

Downey was again recognized as the official Science Festival of Los Angeles County, and the City of STEM initiative received the 2025 Helen Putnam Award from the League of California Cities. The program continues to bring major STEM-related events, partnerships, and educational opportunities to local families.

Space Center expansion

One of Sosa’s signature achievements this year was accelerating the long-planned expansion of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. The new building, featured prominently in the State of the City presentation, will house the full-size Space Shuttle Inspiration while dramatically expanding the city’s ability to host STEM exhibits, education programs, and community events.

Architectural renderings displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony last week showed a modern building with flexible exhibition space, high ceilings, and indoor/outdoor event areas. The facility is designed to honor Downey’s aerospace legacy while serving as a regional destination for innovation and youth education.

“This project means a lot to me,” Sosa said. “It builds on our city’s legacy and gives our kids something extraordinary—something that reflects where Downey has been and where we’re going.”

L.A. Phil

Beyond infrastructure, Sosa expressed pride in helping secure a free Los Angeles Philharmonic concert scheduled next month at the Downey Theatre. The event is one of the highest-profile cultural performances to visit the city in years.

Sosa said the partnership reflects Downey’s growing visibility and its commitment to arts and culture.

Other highlights from Sosa’s year as mayor:

Sosa hosted a non-profit summit, connecting nearly two dozen locally-based non-profit organizations. A database of those organizations and the services they provide is now on the city’s website.
Sosa scheduled an emergency preparedness fair to help residents become aware of the resources available in case of an emergency, such as last year’s massive Christmas Eve power outage.
A social media campaign informed residents of the consequences of speeding, and the city beefed up police patrols
A men’s mental health fair drew hundreds of men and their families, where they learned of available services and support. “Men’s mental health is something that seldom gets discussed,” said Sosa.
Earlier this year Downey hosted a traveling Vietnam War memorial at Discovery Sports Complex. “It’s a big deal to me that we appreciate our veterans,” said Sosa. “We owe them a debt of gratitude.”

Throughout his remarks, Sosa returned to the theme of service — service to his family, who encouraged him to run; service to city staff, whom he credits for carrying out the council’s direction; and service to the residents of Downey, whose trust he said he works every day to honor.

“Downey has given me so much,” Sosa said. “I grew up here, went to school here, and raised my family here. Serving as mayor has been the honor of a lifetime.”

As he looks ahead, Sosa said the work of strengthening Downey’s future will continue, from neighborhood improvements to long-term planning for public safety, transportation, youth programs and economic development.

The mayor closed with gratitude for the community that shaped him — and confidence that Downey’s best years are still ahead.

Hector Sosa reflects on transformative year as Downey mayor