Momentum in Motion: Investing in Downey’s future through good governance

From left: Downey public information specialist Axel Perez, assistant city manager Vaniah De Rojas, Mayor Claudia M. Frometa, interim assistant to the city manager Juddy Montenegro, and parks and recreation director Jason Chacon. (City of Downey photo)

Hello, Downey. As we move into the summer season, I am proud to share several significant accomplishments that demonstrate the strength, vision, and fiscal responsibility of our City.

A World-Class FIFA Fan Zone Success

Last week, Downey proudly hosted an Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Fan Zone, this extraordinary event brought 25,000 people together, from residents, families, to soccer enthusiasts, and visitors from throughout Southern California to celebrate the world’s most popular sport. We saw first hand that soccer is a universal language that brings all of us together.

This historic event showcased Downey on an international stage and highlighted what makes our city so special: community pride, diversity, and the ability to deliver exceptional experiences. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our City staff, Public Works, Planning, Parks & Recreation, Communications team, Police, Fire, and every employee who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event a tremendous success. Their professionalism and dedication helped create an unforgettable experience for our residents and visitors alike. We look forward to offering something similar for the LA28 Olympics.

Welcoming Costco to Downey

Another major milestone was the approval of the Costco development project, one of the most significant economic investments in our city in recent years. Costco is more than just a retail destination—it is an economic engine that will generate substantial new sales tax revenue, create hundreds of jobs, and strengthen Downey’s long-term financial future. The project will provide employment opportunities for local residents, attract shoppers from surrounding communities, and help expand the City’s revenue base that supports essential public services.

Strategic economic development projects like this one help ensure that Downey remains competitive, financially stable, and positioned for future growth without placing additional burdens on taxpayers. This investment represents a win for our residents, our business community, and the future of our city, now the 10th largest city in LA County. More to come as this important project moves forward.

Passing Our 15th Consecutive Balanced Budget

One of the most important responsibilities of local government is ensuring fiscal stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

This week, the City Council approved Downey’s 15th consecutive balanced budget. This significant achievement reflects years of careful planning, responsible prudent financial management, and a commitment to maintaining the services our residents rely upon every day.

A balanced budget ensures that we can continue investing in public safety, infrastructure, parks, recreation programs, and community services while maintaining the City’s strong financial position. It also plays a critical role in preserving Downey’s prestigious AA bond rating, which allows the City to borrow at lower costs and maximize taxpayer dollars when financing major capital improvements.

In an era when many cities across our state are facing significant financial challenges due to mismanagement and even corruption, Downey continues to demonstrate sound fiscal leadership and long-term planning. This achievement is NOT an accident, it is the result of a City Council that balances priorities vs. wants. A council that is focused on financial stewardship and careful consideration of the asks of our community. While we would like to be able to fund everything our residents ask for, fiscal prudence allows us to maintain a strong City with a balanced budget.

Strengthening Public Safety: Illegal Fireworks Enforcement

As we approach Independence Day, public safety remains a top priority.

This week, the council approved an emergency ordinance strengthening enforcement against illegal fireworks. The ordinance includes the deployment of drone technology to identify and document illegal fireworks activity and imposes increased penalties beginning at $4,000 for violations.

Illegal fireworks pose serious risks to public safety, property, pets, and first responders. Every year, the discharge of illegal fireworks contributes to a rise in injuries, fires, and increased emergency responses. This new and enhanced enforcement measure will provide our Police and Fire Departments with additional tools to protect our neighborhoods and hold violators accountable.

We encourage all residents to celebrate responsibly and enjoy professional fireworks displays, support our local non-profits with safe fireworks and help keep our community safe.

Investing in Our Infrastructure

Downey continues to make historic investments in infrastructure improvements.

Since my first Mayoral term and goals in 2021, we have invested approximately $30 million in a comprehensive, multi-year effort to rehabilitate our streets and alleys. Through our Residential Streets Improvement program, neighborhoods throughout our city have benefitted from roadway resurfacing, alley rehabilitation, sidewalk and curb improvements, ADA accessibility upgrades and critical infrastructure enhancements.

This long-term investment is helping improve more than 220 miles of roadway throughout our city while extending pavement life. This represents one of the largest sustained infrastructure investments in recent city history and reflect our commitment to maintaining and modernizing the public assets that residents use every day. As additional projects move forward, residents will continue to see improvements that enhance quality of life, improve mobility, and protect our infrastructure for future generations.

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

This Fourth of July carries special significance as our nation begins celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.

For nearly two and a half centuries, our country has stood as a beacon of freedom, opportunity, democracy, and resilience. Independence Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of those who secured our freedoms, honor those who continue to serve our nation, and recommit ourselves to the values that unite us as Americans.

As families gather to celebrate, I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the blessings of liberty, the strength of our community, and the opportunities that make our nation extraordinary.

We will be celebrating our nation’s birthday during our Wednesday evening concert at Furman Park next week, on July 1st, arrive early, festivities will begin at 6pm. On behalf of the Downey City Council, I wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day.

Together, we continue building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Downey.

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